* * If I misunderstand anything I shall be obliged to you for an explanation. The weather has not permitted me to see anything of the comet yet, but it seems now mending, and I hope to be able to make something of it to-morrow morning. Your second communication, at the same time that it gives me fresh spirits as to the certainty of its being a comet, will certainly assist me in more readily finding it. I feared that your using your new telescope might make that a bright comet to you which might prove but a very faint one, if at all visible, in a common night-glass, which is what we first use to discover a comet with. As soon as I shall have seen it I will send you a line. I sent intelligence of your discovery to M. Mechain, at Paris, last Tuesday, and will send to him your farther communication next Friday. Mr. Maskelyne joins me in best compliments to yourself and Mrs. Herschel, and Dr. Herschel on his return. Dr. Shepherd sent advice of it from me last Tuesday to the Master of Trinity, at Cambridge, who perhaps may convey the agreeable intelligence to your brother.
I remain, dear Miss Herschel,
My worthy sister in astronomy,
Your faithful and obliged humble servant,
N. Maskelyne.
J. DE LA LANDE TO CAROLINE HERSCHEL.
Rue Collége Royal, le 12 Juillet, 1790.
Ma chère et savante Commère,—
J’ai reçu avec la plus délicieuse satisfaction la première lettre dont vous m’avez honoré; je ne pouvois attribuer votre silence à une timidité que votre reputation condamne, mais je l’aurais attribué à mon peu de mérite si vous aviez continué de me refuser une réponse. Vous écrivez si bien que vous ne pouvez pas avoir à cet égard une excuse légitime.
1790. Letters.