| Description | Family transcription of Sir John Herschel's original diary. The volume describes events, including John Herschel's astronomical work at Feldhausen Observatory, South Africa, until the Herschel family's embarkation on the vessel 'Windsor', for their return journey to England. 'Brief adieus, galloped away down the glorious avenue of Feldhausen - never turning a head to look back!'. Herschel describes his voyage home, collecting marine creatures and making astronomical observations, before landing in May and reaching Slough by 6 June. Herschel attended Coronation Day and other social events in London, before journeying again, this time to Hanover, where he finds his aunt, Caroline Herschel, 'wonderfully well and in very good spirits'. Herschel re-embarked for London on 1 August. The remaining diary gives an account of Herschel's astronomical work and travels within the United Kingdom, including at the Royal Society. Occasional marginal drawings are copies of the originals.
With a note on the first page 'Begins 1838'. |