uch less frequent. Much of the time after 1811 he was absent, and his
work at home consisted largely in arranging the results of his previous
labors, and in computations connected with them. All through the years
1814 to 1822, HERSCHEL'S health was very feeble. The severe winter of
1813-14 had told materially upon him. In 1814, however, he undertook to
repolish the forty-foot mirror, but was obliged to give it over.

He now found it necessary to make frequent little excursions for change
of air and scene. His faithful sister remained at home, bringing order
into the masses of manuscript, and copying the papers for the Royal
Society.

She was sick at heart, fearing that each time she saw her brother it
would be the last. In 1818 she says:

"Feb. 11, I went to my brother and remained with him till the 23d.
We spent our time, though not in idleness, in sorrow and sadness.
He is not only unwell, but low in spirits."

In 1818 (December 16), HERSCHEL went to London to have his portrait
painted by ARTAUD. While he was in London his will was made.[28]

In 1819 there is a glimmer of the old-time light. In a note HERSCHEL
says:

"LINA:--There is a great comet. I want you to assist me. Come to
dine and spend the day here. If you can come soon after one o'clock,
we shall have time to prepare maps and telescopes. I saw its
situation last night. It has a long tail.

"_July 4, 1819._"

This note has been carefully kept by his sister, and on it she has
written: "I keep this as a relic. Every line _now_ traced by the hand of
my dear brother becomes a treasure to me."

So the next three years passed away. Sir WILLIAM[29] was daily more and
more feeble. He spent his time in putting his works in order, but could
devote only a few moments each day to this. His sister says:

"_Aug. 11th_, _12th_, _13th_, and _14th_ [1822], I went as usual to
spend some hours of the forenoon with my brother.

"_Aug. 15th._--I hastened to the spot where I was wont to find him,
with the newspaper which I was to read to him. But instead I found
Mrs. MONSON, Miss BALDWIN, and Mr. BULMAN, from Leeds, the grandson
of my brother's earliest acquaintance in this country. I was
informed my brother had been obliged to return to his room, whither
I flew immediately. Lady H. and the housekeeper were with him,
administering everything which could be thought of for supporting
him. I found h