for a fit reception of her high and numerous visitors. ... I ran over to ask for Miss Herschel’s own message before I seal. I am to “give her best love to her dear nephew, niece, and the children, and to say that she often wished to be with them, often felt alone, did not quite like old age with its weaknesses and infirmities, but that she too sometimes laughed at the world, liked her meals, and was satisfied with Betty’s services.” ... You may rest assured that she is most carefully attended to, and Betty is not only fully to be depended upon, but is also extremely judicious, and the only person who has gained Miss Herschel’s entire confidence and approbation.... I have charged her to come to me whenever she sees a possibility of doing anything for her mistress’s comfort, and, from the girl’s unaffected attachment for her, can quite rely upon her. Dear Miss Herschel has, indeed, arranged everything beforehand; and for years past has reserved a sum to answer all calls in the event of her death. _June 29, 1847._ ... I generally find her dozing, and now always lying on her sofa; she requires, however, but a very short moment to recollect herself, and then enters into a conversation, of which she takes the greater and by far the better part on herself. It generally carries her back to old times and events and persons long gone by, sometimes with great humour, sometimes with regret; and when she enters upon subjects of vexation, I have the means of restoring cheerfulness and satisfaction by speaking of her nephew and his family. She avoids topics of a directly serious and religious nature—and is indeed so much alone that she has time for these reflections when by herself. _Dec. 2, 1847._ A few days ago she talked of her childhood, and even sung me a little ballad she had then learnt. [Sidenote: 1846. _Survey of the Nebulous Heavens._] While her faculties were equal to the appreciation of the gift, she received a copy of Sir John Herschel’s great work of _Cape Observations_. The first of the two following letters tells how it was in progress; the next announces its completion; and thus, by a most striking and happy coincidence, she, whose unflagging toil had so greatly contributed to its successful prosecution in the hands of her beloved brother, lived to witness its triumphant termination through the no-less persistent industry and strenuous labour of his son, and her last days were crowned by the possession of the work which brought to its glorious conclusion Sir William Herschel’s vast undertaking—THE SURVEY OF THE NEBULOUS HEAVENS. SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL. COLLINGWOOD, _Dec. 8, 1846_. MY DEAR AUNT,—