[17]. Alexander Wilson, M.D., professor of practical astronomy in the University of Glasgow, and first propounder of that theory as to the cause and nature of the spots on the sun, which was afterwards fully corroborated and worked out by Sir W. Herschel.
[18]. The Prince’s questions were sometimes of a very remarkable kind. On a previous occasion when he “stept in” with a view to having them answered, and was not so fortunate as to find anyone at home, he left the following memorandum: “The Prince of Orange has been at Slough to call at Mr. Herschel’s and to ask him, or if he was not at home to Miss Herschel, if it is true that Mr. Herschel has discovered a new star, whose light was not as that of the common stars, but with swallow tails, as stars in embroidery. He has seen this reported in the newspapers, and wishes to know if there is any foundation to that report.—Slough, the 8th of August, 1798.—W. Prince of Orange.”
[19]. James Lind, M.D., was a Scotchman, who devoted a considerable amount of his time to astronomical observations.
[20]. The only child of Dr. Herschel. He afterwards became Sir John Herschel. Miss Herschel was very proud as well as fond of him. He is “my nephew.” Dr. Herschel is usually called “my brother,” in distinction from all the rest of the family.
[21]. Mrs. Beckedorff was “the sweet little girl of ten or eleven years old” with whom Miss Herschel had exchanged pleasant greetings when they were both taking lessons in dressmaking from Madame Küster, in Hanover, thirty-five years before. (See p. 22.)
[22]. Probably Professor Wales, mathematical master at Christ’s Hospital, author of a mathematical paper published in the “Phil. Trans.,” 1781.
[23]. The cost of this fine instrument, which had been ordered by the King of Spain as long before as January, 1796, was £3150. The Prince of Canino paid £2310 for a ten and a seven-foot telescope from the same indefatigable hands. But although the pecuniary profit was great, it is not surprising that Miss Herschel should bemoan the “making and selling of telescopes” as unworthy of the enormous amount of time and labour which must be withdrawn from the study of astronomy; and it is evident that the fatigue and exhaustion from polishing mirrors told seriously upon Sir William’s health.
[24]. A characteristic little note from her brother belongs to this time: “Lina,—Last night I ‘popt’ upon a comet. It is visible to the naked eye, between Fomalhout and β Ceti, but above the line that joins the two stars. It made an equilateral triangle (downwards) with 100 and 107 Aquarii. I wrote last night to Sir J. Banks and write now also to Dr. Maskelyne. Adieu.
Dec. 9, 1805.”
[25]. De Luc was a geologist of high reputation; an ardent opponent of Huttonian views.