r the best years of her life this object was the happiness
and success of her brother WILLIAM, whom she profoundly loved. Her love
was headstrong and full of a kind of obstinate pride, which refused to
see anything but the view she had adopted. As long as her life continued
to be with her dearest brother, all was well with her. She had a noble
aim, and her heart was more than full. Later on, this very singleness of
character brought her other years of wretchedness. It is necessary to
understand the almost spaniel-like allegiance she gave, in order to
comprehend the value which her services were to HERSCHEL. She supplied
him with an aid which was utterly loyal, entire, and devoted. Her
obedience was unquestioning, her reverence amounted almost to adoration.
In their relation, he gave everything in the way of incentive and
initiative, and she returned her entire effort loyally.

At first her business was to gain a knowledge of the language, and to
perfect herself in singing, so that she might become a soloist in the
concerts and oratorios which he was constantly giving.

In the beginning it was not easy.

. . . "As the season for the arrival of visitors to the baths does
not begin till October, my brother had leisure to try my capacity for
becoming a useful singer for his concerts and oratorios, and being
very well satisfied with my voice, I had two or three lessons every
day, and the hours which were not spent at the harpsichord, were
employed in putting me in the way of managing the family. . . .
On the second morning, on meeting my brother at breakfast, he began
immediately to give me a lesson in English and arithmetic, and
showed me the way of booking and keeping accounts of cash received
and laid out. . . . By way of relaxation we talked of astronomy and
the bright constellations with which I had made acquaintance during
the fine nights we spent on the postwagen travelling through Holland.

"My brother ALEXANDER, who had been some time in England, boarded
and lodged with his elder brother, and, with myself, occupied the
attic. The first floor, which was furnished in the newest and most
handsome style, my brother kept for himself. The front room,
containing the harpsichord, was always in order to receive his
musical friends and scholars at little private concerts or
rehearsals. . . . Sundays I received a sum for the weekly expenses,
of