Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/153

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Chap. IV.]
Extracts from Diary.
129

the Princess returned my books with a kind note, and on the 4th she left Windsor.

Dec. 5th, 6th, 7th.—I spent in Windsor to see Mrs. and Miss Beckedorff at short intervals. Miss Wilson, Miss S. White, Miss Baldwin, Mr. Beckwith (Miss B.'s bridegroom) were visitors for several days at Slough, to see the funeral of the Queen. *****

Dec. 16th.—My brother went to town, to sit for his portrait by Mr. Artaud.

Feb. 3rd.—My brother went to town. The 4th I received a note from Mrs. Beckedorff, desiring me to spend the next and last day with her, but I went immediately and took (as I then thought) my last leave of both mother and daughter, for I could not leave my brother on his return on the 5th to be received only by the servants, as he went from home very unwell with a cold.

Feb. 7th.—My nephew arrived in town, and on the 12th all came home and I returned to my habitation.

Feb. 28th.—I heard of the death of Mrs. Beckedorff's daughter, at Hanover. My brother consented to my going next morning to London, and before two o'clock, after I had procured a lodging in Pimlico, I was with the poor mourners at Buckingham House, and remained till March 4th, when I left them, hoping they would be able to leave England on the 9th.

March llth.—Was Miss Baldwin's wedding-day, which I spent at Slough, with the family.

April 2nd.—My brother left Slough, accompanied by Lady H. for Bath, he being very unwell, and the constant complaint of giddiness in the head so much increased, that they were obliged to be four nights on the road both going and coming.

The last moments before he stepped into the carriage
K