Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/123

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Chap. III.]
Extracts from Day-book.
101

dums from my brother's second volume of Flamsteed's Observations into Dr. Maskelyne's volume. But the succession of amusements, &c., &c., left me no alternative between contenting myself with one or two hours' sleep per night during the six days I was at Greenwich, or to go home without having fulfilled my purpose."

The journal was enclosed in a letter from Mrs. Maskelyne, which bears pleasant testimony to the agreeable impression which her visitor must have made on the ladies, as well as the astronomer.

Buxted Place, August 30, 1799.
Dear Miss Herschel,

We thank you for your polite message, are sorry you left Buxted at eight o'clock; hoped you would have taken two dishes of coffee, and not gone till half-past eight, for we were up at seven, to be ready to accompany you to Uckfield.

Margaret has sent the enclosed, and will be glad to hear if it is what you meant; she was writing it when you stopped at the door, but did not venture to open it for fear of disturbing us. Present our compliments to Dr. and Mrs. Herschel. Pray let me know what sort of a journey you have had to your dear sweeper, and accept our love.

I am, dear Miss Herschel,
Your humble servant,
S. Maskelyne.

The following letter has reference to this visit, and is inserted here, although belonging to a somewhat later date:—