Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/165



As we close the record of Miss Herschel's residence in England, we may pause for a moment to look back over the space she had traversed while following, with unvarying diligence and humility, the path her brother marked out for her, first in blessed hourly companionship, when she was as necessary in his home as in his library, or among his instruments; and latterly, when with saddened heart but unflagging determination she continued to work for him, but saw his domestic happiness pass into other keeping.

While they toiled together through those first ten years of ever-deepening interest and marvellous activity, during which the rapid juxtaposition of mirror-grinding, concerts, oratorios, music lessons, and frequent papers written for philosophical societies, almost takes the breath away as we read,—the brother had "abundant opportunity of learning how far he could trust to his companion's readiness, as well as capability,