Memoir and Correspondence of Caroline Herschel

by Mrs. John Herschel

I am your most obedient, although illegible,

Alexander Humboldt.

Do not trouble yourself to write to the King; I will convey your thanks to him.

Once more a few lines, begun November 1st, and finished December 3rd, were traced, betraying, now only for the first time, the apprehension that they might be the last, in the words—

Miss Beckedorff shall write for me if I do not get better. Loves to all.

Caroline Herschel.

Even this, the last letter of all, is addressed in a large, clear handwriting. Henceforth “the messenger” carried no more the large familiar sheet which had often been filled at the cost of many days’ work and frequent re-writing; but her kind friend, Miss Beckedorff, wrote a regular monthly report to the anxious friends in England, from which the following most interesting extracts are taken:—

EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTERS OF MISS BECKEDORFF TO

SIR JOHN AND LADY HERSCHEL.

Dec. 1846.