What, we may ask, were the discoveries of
Columbus compared with these? He revealed to Europe the existence of
only a single continent; Herschel unfolded to man the mysteries of the
depths of the heavens.
But, continued Mr. South, when we have thus enumerated the results
obtained in the course of "sweeps" with this instrument, and taken into
consideration the extent and variety of the other observations which
were at the same time in progress, a most important part yet remains
untold. Who participated in his toils? Who braved with him all the
experiences of inclement weather? Who shared, and consoled him in, his
privations? A woman. And who was she? His sister. Miss Herschel it was
who by night acted as his amanuensis; she it was whose pen conveyed to
paper his observations as they issued from his lips; she it was who
noted the various aspects and phenomena of the objects observed; she it
was who, after spending the still night beside the wonder-exhibiting
instrument, carried the rough, blurred manuscripts to her cottage at
daybreak, and by the morning produced a clean copy and register of the
night's achievements; she it was who planned the labour of each
succeeding night; she it was who reduced into exact form every
calculation; she it was who arranged the whole in systematic order; and
she it was who largely assisted her illustrious brother to obtain his
imperishable renown.
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