MISS HERSCHEL TO HERR HOFRATH UND RITTER GAUSS.
Sir, I am almost at a loss how to express my thanks sufficiently for the kind visit with which you honoured me when last in Hanover, for not only the wish of seeing the man of whom I so often had heard my late brother speak in the highest terms of admiration has been at last gratified, but I flatter myself of having found in you, sir, a friend who will do me the kindness of presenting the works of Flamsteed (published in 1725, with my Index to the Observations contained in his second volume) to the Royal Observatory of the Royal Academy of Göttingen.
The regret I feel at the separation from books which have afforded me so many days interesting employment will be greatly softened by knowing that, referring to the memorandums in the margin of the pages in Flamsteed's second volume, much time may yet be saved to any astronomer who wishes to consult former observations, and therefore I hope you will pardon the trouble I am thus giving you, and, with the greatest esteem, believe me,
Sir,
Your most obliged and humble servant,
MISS HERSCHEL TO J. F. W. HERSCHEL.
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. . . . I know not how it comes that I am so barren of subjects for filling up these pages; my spirits are rather depressed at present on account of my brother's health, who suffers very frequently much from weakness, so that to combat against infirmities and peevishness (the usual com-