to the consummation of their hopes. The
metal was placed in the furnace; but, unfortunately, just when it was
ready for pouring in a molten stream into the mould, it began to leak,
and both the Herschels, and the caster with his men, were compelled to
fly from the apartment, the stone flooring exploding, and flying about
in all directions, as high as the ceiling. The astronomer, exhausted
with heat and exertion, fell on a heap of brickbats; exhausted, but not
dismayed. The work was renewed; and a second casting being attempted, it
proved entirely successful, and a very perfect metal was formed in the
mould.

CHAPTER III.

In August 1782 the Herschels removed to Datchet. Their new home was "a
large neglected place; the house in a deplorably ruinous condition, the
garden and grounds overgrown with weeds." Nor were the domestic
arrangements more favourable. For a fortnight the little family were
without a female servant; and an old woman, the gardener's wife, showed
Miss Herschel the shops, where the high prices of every article, from
coals to butcher's meat, appalled her. But of these inconveniences
Herschel took no account. Enough for him that he was released from the
drudgery of teaching, and free thenceforth to devote himself to the
heavens and their wonders. A man whose thoughts are always with the
stars can hardly be expected to trouble himself about the price of
tallow-candles! Were there not capacious stables in which mirrors of
any size could be ground; and a roomy laundry capable of easy conversion
into a library, with one door opening on a large lawn, where the "small
twenty-foot" was to take its stand? Compared with advantages such as
these, what mattered the scarcity of "butcher's meat"? Herschel
laughingly assured his sister that they could live on eggs and bacon;
which, he confidently asserted, would cost next to nothing, now that
they were really in the country!

And so he settled down to a life of quiet, industry at Datchet; his
admirable sister being formally adopted as his assistant and secretary.
Never had master a more devoted, a more enthusiastic, or a more
intelligent servant! She shared in all his night-watches, with her eye
constantly on the clock, and the pencil in her hand; with unerring
accuracy she made all the complex calculations so frequently required;
she made three or four copies of every observation in separate
registers, co-ordinating, classifying, and analyzing them. If the