Memoir and Correspondence of Caroline HerschelHerschel, John, Mrs.
History
Memoir and Correspondence of Caroline Herschel
Herschel, John, Mrs.
Herschel, Caroline Lucretia, 1750-1848
“On the afternoon of August 28th, 1772, I arrived with my brother at his
house No. 7, New King Street, Bath, where we were received only by Mr.
Bulman’s family, who occupied the parlour floor, and had the management
of his servant and household affairs. My brother had formerly boarded
with them at Leeds, whence, on Mr. Bulman’s failure in business, they
had removed to Bath, where my brother procured for him the place of
Clerk at the Octagon Chapel.... On our journey he had taken every
opportunity to make me hope to find in Mrs. Bulman a well-informed and
well-meaning friend, and in her daughter, a few years younger than
myself, an agreeable companion. But as I knew no more English than the
few words which I had on our journey learned to repeat like a parrot, it
may be easily supposed that it would require some time before I could
feel comfortable among strangers. But as the season for the arrival of
visitors to the Baths does not begin till October, my brother had
leisure to try my capacity for becoming a useful singer for his concerts
and oratorios, and being very well satisfied with my voice, I had two or
three lessons every day, and the hours which were not spent at the
harpsichord were employed in putting me in the way of managing the
family.... On the second morning, on meeting my brother at breakfast, he
began immediately to give me a lesson in English and arithmetic, and
showed me the way of booking and keeping accounts of cash received and
laid out.... By way of relaxation we talked of astronomy and the bright
constellations with which I had made acquaintance during the fine nights
we spent on the Postwagen travelling through Holland.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account