Page:Hector Macpherson - Herschel (1919).djvu/20

14 graceful accomplishments. "It was her certain belief," Caroline records, "that my brother William would have returned to his country and my eldest brother not have looked so high if they had had a little less learning." Accordingly, Caroline became virtually the Cinderella of the family—from earliest years a little neglected maid-of-all-work. Her eldest brother and sister showed her little attention, and all her love was concentrated on the father who wished to give her "something like a polished education," and on her brother William, who invariably showed her kindness and affection.

After her father's death, she describes herself as having fallen into a "state of stupefaction". She "could not help feeling troubled about her future destiny". Her mother and her brother Jacob consistently under-estimated her; and domestic service seemed to be the only future in store for her. But William had not forgotten the little sister of early years. In 1771 he wrote home proposing that she should join him in Bath and become "a useful singer for his winter concerts and oratorios". Despite the opposition of her mother and the ridicule of her brother Jacob, the plan materialised. In the autumn of 1772 William Herschel arrived in Hanover, and at the close of a fortnight's stay, set off for England along with Caroline. They arrived in Bath on 28th August, 1772, and Caroline was at once installed as her brother's housekeeper. She received instruction in English and arithmetic as well as lessons in music. Already, too, a new interest had crept into Herschel's life. "By way of relaxation," his sister tells us, "we talked of astronomy and the bright constellations with which I had made acquaintance during the fine nights we spent on the Postwagen travelling through Holland."