e of
his friends, and on this occasion he declined the offer by saying it
was paid for already.

"Among the Bath visitors were many philosophical gentlemen who used
to frequent the levees at St. James's, when in town. Colonel WALSH,
in particular, informed my brother that from a conversation he had
had with His Majesty, it appeared that in the spring he was to come
with his seven-foot telescope to the king. Similar reports he
received from many others, but they made no great impression nor
caused any interruption in his occupation or study, and as soon as
the season for the concerts was over, and the mould, etc., in
readiness, a day was set apart for casting, and the metal was in the
furnace. Unfortunately it began to leak at the moment when ready for
pouring, and both my brothers and the caster, with his men, were
obliged to run out at opposite doors, for the stone flooring (which
ought to have been taken up) flew about in all directions as high as
the ceiling. Before the second casting was attempted, everything
which could insure success had been attended to, and a very perfect
metal was found in the mould.

"But a total stop and derangement now took place, and nearly six or
seven months elapsed before my brother could return to the
undisturbed enjoyment of his instruments and observations. For one
morning in Passion Week, as Sir WILLIAM WATSON was with my brother,
talking about the pending journey to town, my eldest nephew arrived
to pay us a visit, and brought the confirmation that his uncle was
expected with his instrument in town. . . . We had not one night in
the week, 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.". . .

In May of 1782 HERSCHEL went to London.

"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