[54]. The whole family party assembled at Christmas in the tube of the great telescope, and sang a ballad composed for the occasion.
[55]. “The telescope, as you know, is laid on three stone piers horizontally. It will be fresh painted to-morrow, and afterwards every three or four years, as it wants it, and it looks very well. The observatory will remain nearly as it is. The apparatus of the telescope is inside of the tube, and will be riveted up from all intruders. And all the polishing apparatus is fixed on the spot.”—Letter of Sir John Herschel, Feb. 28, 1840.
The great mirror is now put up in the hall of the house—“Herschels”—at Slough, by the present tenant, Mr. Montressor, who has spared no pains to do honour to the relics as well as to keep up the character of the old fashioned “habitation,” which owes much to the taste and judgment he has bestowed on it.
[56]. General Baron Hugh Halkett, a distinguished officer of the German Legion, died 1863.
[57]. Miss Herschel gave special directions that, after her death, her snuff-box should be given to this lady.
[58]. The family of Sir J. Herschel had left Slough and settled at Collingwood, near Hawkhurst, Kent, now the family residence.
[59]. Every fool is pleased with his own cap.
[60]. In answer to this announcement her niece wrote: “Herschel bids me say he is quite delighted at the idea of your undertaking the family history, but he insists upon it that you prove his descent from Hercules, and I dare say in this age of relics, we could contrive to find in the rummaging of old traps turned out at Slough, a veritable piece of the old club which has by fortunate accident served as part of the ladders of the forty-foot telescope! or perhaps you remember its slipping down the mouth of the great telescope one night when it was turned in the direction of your ancestor’s constellation, as a sign that he confessed himself outshone by your labours.”
[61]. He who first cries “Kick!” shall have the apple.
[62]. The astronomers for ever!