306 CAROLINE HERSCHEL. " Mr. Herschel," she says, " is perfectly unassuming, yet openly happy, and happy in the success of those studies which w^uld render a mind less excellently formed presumptuous and arrogant. The king has not a happier subject than this man, who owes wholly to his majesty that he is not wretched ; for, such was his eagerness to quit all other pursuits to follow astronomy solely, that he was in danger of ruin, when his great and uncommon genius attracted the king's patronage." Very soon Miss Herschel had the pleasure of showing her comet to the king and royal family. It became, indeed, a common thing for the Herschels to be invited to the castle to display some of the wonders they had discovered. Madame D'Arblay once was asked by the princess Augusta to go into the garden and take a peep at " Miss Herschel's comet," and she gladly accepted the invitation. "We found Mr. Herschel at his telescope," she reports, " and I mounted some steps to look through it. The comet was very small, and had nothing grand or striking in its appearance ; but it is the first lady's comet, and I was very desirous to see it." The same interesting diarist describes Caroline Her- schel as very small in stature, very gentle in her manners, perfectly modest as to her acquirements, as well as frank and ingenuous. Her manners were those of a person unaccustomed to the great world, not at all afraid of it, yet desirous both to enjoy and return its good will. It was as though she had said to the princes and nobles who came to her house : " I give you a hearty welcome. I am glad to see you, but my brother and my telescope are sufficient for me." " Are you still comet hunting," Madame D'Arblay asked, " or are you now content with the moon ? "
