Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/115

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Chap. III.]
Two more Comets discovered.
93

How happy should I esteem myself if there were any service I could render you here, most admirable lady astronomer, that I might be permitted to prove how entirely my heart is devoted to you.

Prof. Seyffer.

The fifth comet was discovered December 15th, 1791, and a simple record of the fact is all that the packet devoted to it contains, with the information, "My brother wrote an account of it to Sir J. Banks, Dr. Maskelyne, and to several astronomical correspondents." The discovery of the sixth is treated with equal brevity. "Oct. 7, at 8h. mean time. I discovered a comet, my brother settled its place on the 8th, and I wrote to Sir J. Banks, Dr. Maskelyne, and to Mr. Planta. The letter to Mr. Planta is printed in the Philosophical Transactions."

None of the correspondence in connection with the seventh has been preserved, excepting her own letter announcing its discovery to Sir J. Banks.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS.

Slough, Nov. 8, 1795.
Sir,—

Last night, in sweeping over a part of the heavens with my five-foot reflector, I met with a telescopic comet. To point out its situation I transcribe my brother's observations of it from his journal. ***** *****

It will probably pass between the head of the Swan and