at some
previously unnoticed feature of the nebulae, when his brother Alex came
into the room.

"We have got supper ready," he said, "and Travers is below offering
help--rather late in the day--and the only help he can give now is to
help to eat the double Gloucester cheese and drink the Bristol ale. But
come, Will; you have had no proper meal to-day!"

"Humph! what," Mr. Herschel said, "did I say? Nineteen millions of
miles, or eighteen and three-quarter millions? Yes, Alex--yes. Can I be
of any assistance? How about the violins and the harpsichord? There are
several lessons down for to-morrow, and Ronzini will be here about the
oratorio. I ought to have gone to Bristol, but it was impossible.
There's the score of that quartette in G minor, Alex--is it safe?"

"Yes--yes. I pray you, brother, trust the sagacity of your workers, and
repay them with a scrap of gratitude." Then yawning, "If you are not as
tired as any tired dog, I am; and I am off to bed, such as it is, for
there is only one bedstead put up--that is the four-post for you. Lina
and I have decided to sleep on the floor."

"Nonsense! I shall not sleep to-night, I have too much to settle. Let
good Lina take some rest for her weary limbs. And, Alex, to-morrow, we
must see about the workshop in the garden and the casting for the
thirty-foot reflector, for I can have no real peace of mind till that is
an accomplished fact. The mirror for the thirty-foot reflector is to be
cast in a mould of loam, prepared from horse dung. It will require an
immense quantity; it must be pounded in a mortar; it must be sifted
through a sieve."

Alex shrugged his shoulders, and made an exclamation in German which
brought a laugh from his brother.

"Poor Alex, is the lowest yet most important step of the ladder
distasteful to you? I will not trouble you, my boy, nor will I enlist
Lina in the service against her wishes--do not fear."

"I fear no work for you, William," Alex said, "when music is concerned,
you know that; but----"

"I know--I know," William Herschel said, patting his brother's shoulder;
"but, remember, I make even music--yes, even music--that heaven-born
gift, subservient to the better understanding of that goodly host of
heaven, beyond and above all earthly consideration and mere earthly
aims. But let us go to supper. We must eat to live--at any rate, young
ones like you must. Come!"

The room below was not in such dire confusion as might have been
expecte