Part 32 (1/2)

His letter was as follows: --”I see the A your solar observations A cohany Observatory remarks 'that he (Mr Nasmyth) appears to have been the first to distinctly call attention to the singular individuality of the minute components of the photosphere; and this seems in fairness to entitle him to the credit of an important discovery, hich his name should remain associated'”

I proceeded to do that which Sir John Herschel had so earnestly recommended, that is, to write out my observations on the Moon

It was a very serious matter, for I had never written a book before

It occupied h I had the kind assistance of my friend James Carpenter, then of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich

The volcanoes and craters, and general landscape scenery of the Moon, had to be photographed and engraved, and this caused great labour

At length the book, entitled The Moon, considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite, appeared in November 1874 It was received with much favour and passed into a second edition A courteous and kind review of the book appeared in the Edinburgh; and the notices in other periodicals were equally favourable I dedicated the volu associated with hiical affairs, and also because of the deep friendshi+p which I entertained for his Grace I presented the volume to hiht quote their answers at great length, from the Astronomer-Royal doards But I will quote two--one from a Royal Academician and another from a Cardinal

The first was from Philip H Calderon He said:

”Let lorious book It arrived at twelve to-day, and there has been no painting since Once having taken it up, attracted by the illustrations, I could not put it down again I forgot everything; and, indeed, I have been up in the Moon As soon as these feords of thanks are given, I aain What a comfort it is to read a scientific hich is quite clear, and what a gift it is to write thus!

”The photographs took my breath away I could not understand how you did them, and your explanation of how you built the ed the wonder into admiration Only an artist could have said what you say about the education of the eye and of the hand

You ratefully yours,

PHILIP H CALDERON”

I now proceed to the Cardinal I was present at one of the receptions of the President of the Royal Society at Burlington House, when I was introduced to Cardinal Manning as ”The Steam Hammer!” After a cordial reception he suddenly said, ”But are you not also the Man in the Moon?”

Yes, your Eminence I have written a book about the Moon, and I shall be glad if you will accept a copy of it?” ”By all means,” he said, ”and I thank you for the offer veryanswer:

”MY DEAR MRNASMYTH--When I asked you to send me your book on the Moon, I had no idea of its bulk and value, and I feel ashahted at

”I thank you for it very sincerely My life is one of endless work, leavingBut such books as yours refresh me like a clover field

”I hope Iour conversation

Believe me always truly yours, HENRY, CARDINAL MANNING”

Iletter frohter of the late Astronomer

”Is it possible,” she said, ”that this beautiful book is destined by you as a gift to my most unworthy self? I do not know, indeed, how sufficiently to thank you, or even to expresspossessed of so exquisite and valuable a work, made so valuable, too, by the e! I fear I shall be very very far froh we have been endeavouring to gather some faint notion of thereatest interest for us to try and follow theuidance, and with the help of these perfectly enchanting photographs, which, I think, one could never be tired of looking at

”Hoell I re which you sent for dear papa's inspection, and which he did so enjoy!

and also the experilobe, in which he was so interested, at your own house We cannot but think hoould have appreciated your researches, and what pleasure this lovely book would have given him Indeed, I shall treasure it especially as a remembrance of that visit, which is so cohts with him, as well as with your cordial kindness, as a precious souvenir, of which let me once more offer you my heartfelt thanks

I reratefully,

”ISABELLA HERSCHEL”

I cannot refrain fro the communication I received from my dear old friend William Lassell ”I do not know,” he said, ”how sufficiently to thank you for your most kind letter, and the superb present which alreatly enhanced by the consideration of how far this splendid work ratify the scientific world

The illustrations are nificent, and I am persuaded that no book has ever been published before which gives so faithful, accurate, and comprehensive a picture of the surface of the Moon The work ht, and labour, and I doubt not you will now receive a gratifying, if not an adequate reward”

After reading the book Mr Lassell again wrote to me ”I am indebted to your beautiful book, ”he said, ”for a deeper interest in the Moon than I ever felt before I see , which tellsexposure you s, I was sorry to find from your letter that you had a severe cold, which made you very unwell I hope you have ere this perfectly recovered I suppose maladies of this kind must be expected to take rather severe hold of us now, as we are both past the meridian of life I am, however, very thankful for the measure of health I enjoy, and the pleasure ive me I fully sympathise with you in the contempt (shall I say?) which you feel for the taste of sosouishedFor my part I would rather take to the bicycle and do my seventeen miles within the hour”

He proceeds: ”I have no doubt your windmill is very nicely contrived, and has afforded youit

The only drawback to it is, that in this variable climate it is apt to strike work, and in the es would induce it to coht make it pump up a quantity when the wind served, to be used as a motive pohen you chose”

This reference alludes to a windmill which I erected on the top of my workshop, to drive the apparatus below It was the ress The windht and day, and polished the speculu I keeked through the corner of theblinds and saw it hard at work I prefer, however, a sularly

It is time to coive a brief resu as well as useful to others Thanks to a good constitution and a fraorated by work, I continue to lead, with my dear wife, a happy life I still take a deep interest in mechanics, in astronomy, and in art It is a pleasure to me to run up to London and enjoy the collections at the National Gallery, South Kensington, and the Royal Academy The Crystal Palace continues to attract a share of reatly altered