This brings to my remembrance, that when I was godmother to Mrs. Waterhouse’s eldest sister in 1787, I was called away in the afternoon to help my brother to receive the Princesse Lamballe, who came with a numerous attendance to see the moon, &c. About a fortnight after, her head was off. [Sidenote: 1843. _On her Recollections._] SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL. COLLINGWOOD, _Sept. 13, 1843_. MY DEAR AUNT,— Again we are rejoiced by the sight of your handwriting, and by the admirable and truly interesting History of your own younger days, which you have sent with your delightful letter, and which arrived perfectly safe, and, you may be sure, will be treasured as the apple of the eye, and often read and re-read. I began the reading of it last evening to all your grand-nephews and nieces who are old enough to understand it, and the History of their great-grandpapa’s hardships after the Battle of Dettingen, and poor uncle Alexander’s harsh treatment, and your own quiet, thoughtful activity and self-dependence, made on all my hearers, as well as on myself, an impression which I am sure will not easily be forgotten, and which I shall take care not to let them forget. We all entreat you to continue it, and you need not be in any fear about the _writing_. Your handwriting (Gottlob[64]) is still excellently good, and there was not a word either in your letter or in the “History” that gave me the least trouble to read.... ... I visited in London Mde. Taylor (whom you entrusted with the pictures of your Royal visitors, which are very charming things, and seem as if they must be good likenesses). I did not find her husband at home, but she is a very pleasing person, and pleased me greatly by the respectful and friendly way in which she spoke of you. We hope to see them here, where they will be much valued, as will be the effigy or recollection of everybody that has been kind to you, or anything that has given you pleasure.... The only news I have to send you is that of Capt. Ross’s safe return with the South Polar Expedition after nearly four years’ absence, having penetrated to the 79th degree of S. Lat., and discovered a new continent full of volcanoes and icy mountains, and the true position of the south magnetic pole. He anchored his ship upon the spot where the Americans say they found land, and found no bottom at six hundred fathoms! MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL. _June 4, 1844._ MY DEAREST NEPHEW,—