The Story of the Herschels Part 5

May our readers be induced, by their perusal of these pages, to emulate the Herschels--brother, sister, nephew--in all the bright and lovely qualities that enn.o.ble life; in their fixity of purpose, their elevation of thought, their purity of character, their self-denial, their industry, their hopefulness, and their faith!

[The following inscription is engraved on Miss Herschel's tomb.

It begins: "Hier ruhet die irdische Hulle von CAROLINA HERSCHEL, Geboren zu Hannover den 16ten Marz 1750, Ges...o...b..n, den 9ten Januar 1848." But, for the convenience of our young readers, we give it in English:--

HERE RESTS THE EARTHLY CASE OF C A R O L I N E H E R S C H E L.

BORN AT HANOVER, MARCH 10, 1750.

DIED JANUARY 9, 1848.

"The eyes of her now glorified were, while here below, directed towards the starry heavens. Her own discoveries of comets, and her share in the immortal labours of her brother, William Herschel, bear witness of this to succeeding ages.

"The Royal Irish Academy of Dublin, and the Royal Astronomical Society of London, enrolled her name among their members.

"At the age of 97 years 10 months, she fell asleep in calm rest, and in the full possession of her faculties; following into a better life her father, Isaac Herschel, who lived to the age of 60 years, 2 months, 17 days, and has lain buried not far off since the 29th of March 1767."

This epitaph was mainly written by Miss Herschel herself, and the allusion to her brother is characteristic.]