Men's
minds were widened, so to speak, at a bound; their conceptions
strengthened and enlarged; for the discovery of Georgium Sidus--as
the new planet was designated by its discoverer, in honour of George
III.--rendered possible and probable the discovery of other planets,
and thus extended immeasurably the limits of the Solar System. Herschel,
whose reputation as a musician had hitherto been local, now sprang into
world-wide fame as an astronomer. George III., who was a true lover of
science, and not disinclined to bestow his patronage on men and things
of Hanoverian origin, summoned him to his presence; and was so much
pleased with his modest and interesting account of the long labours
which had led to the great result, that, after a brief interval, he
bestowed upon him an annual pension of three hundred guineas, and a
residence, first at Clay Hall, and then at Slough.
But before this well-deserved good fortune fell to him, Herschel
continued his industrious career as both musician and astronomer.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35