Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/67

Rh except Friday, but what was set apart for an oratorio either at Bath or Bristol. Soon after Easter a new organ being erected in St. James's Church, it was opened with two performances of the 'Messiah;' this again took up some of my brother's time. . . ..

.... The Tuesday after Whit Sunday, May 8th, my brother left Bath to join Sir William Watson at his father's in Lincoln's Inn Fields, furnished with everything necessary for viewing double stars, of which the first catalogue had just then appeared in the 'Philosophical Transactions.' A new seven-foot stand and steps were made to go in a moderate sized box, to be screwed together on the spot where wanted. Flamsteed's Atlas, in which the stars had during the winter been numbered, catalogues of double stars, micrometers, tables, &c., and everything which could facilitate reviewing objects, had been attended to in the preparation for the journey.

"But when almost double the time had elapsed which my brother could safely be absent from his scholars, Alex, as well as myself, were much at a loss how to answer their inquiries, for, from the letters we received, we could learn nothing but that he had been introduced to the King and Queen, and had permission to come to the concerts at Buckingham House, where the King conversed with him about astronomy." It was during his absence at this time that the three following letters were written and received:—

,— I have had an audience of His Majesty this morning, and met with a very gracious reception. I presented him with the drawing of the solar system, and had the honour of explaining it to him and the Queen. My