The twenty-foot has been in activity ever since the end of February, and, as I have now got the polishing apparatus erected and three mirrors (one of which I mean to keep constantly polishing) the sweeping gets on rapidly. I had hardly begun regular sweeping, when I discovered two beautiful planetary nebulæ, exactly like planets, and one of a fine blue colour. I have not been unmindful of your hint about Scorpio, I am now _rummaging_ the recesses of that constellation and find it full of beautiful globular clusters. A few evenings ago I lighted on a strange nebula, of which here is a figure! and since I am about it I shall add a figure of one of the resolvable nebulæ in the greater magellanic cloud. The equatorial is at last erected, and the revolving roof (upon a plan of my own) works perfectly well, but I am sorry to say that the nights in which it can be used to advantage are rare, even rarer than in England, as, in spite of the clearness of the sky, the stars are ill-defined and excessively tremulous. But a truce to astronomical details! though from time to time I shall continue to plague you with them.... Farewell; M. desires to add her kindest regards to those of Your affectionate nephew, J. F. W. HERSCHEL. [Sidenote: 1834. _The Landgravine of Hesse._] The following letters from the Princesses of Hesse and Dessau afford a pleasing memorial of the kind and affectionate interest which they lost no opportunity of expressing in Miss Herschel and her family. HANOVER, _June 10, 1834_. I yesterday received the enclosed note from my niece, the Dowager Duchess of Anhalt Dessau, but felt too unwell to send it as I could not write, which I wished to do, to thank you also for your great kindness about the book. My niece writes in _extasies_ with your good nature. I am glad to learn from our dear Sophy Beckedorff that you are pretty well. I trust to be well enough soon to see you, but I am still weak and unlike myself. It gave me very great pleasure to learn that you have had fresh accounts of your nephew, who, I pray God, may be prosperous in all his very interesting and valuable undertakings. I am happy of having this opportunity of assuring you of the sincerity of my regard. ELISE, The Dowager Landgravine of Hesse, born Princess of England. TO MISS CAROLINE HERSCHEL. [_Enclosure._] DESSAU, _June 6, 1834_. Miss Caroline Herschel finds here the expressions of my utmost gratitude for the great kindness to give me the so very interesting work of her nephew, the worthy follower of a celebrated father.