A life of herschel which shall be satis factory in every particular can only-be writ 'ten after a full examination of the materials which are preserved at the family seat in England but as two generations have passed since his death, and as no biography yet exists which approaches to completeness, no apol ogy seems to me to be needed for a conscientious attempt to make the best use of the scanty material which we do possess. This study will, I trust, serve to exhibit so much of his life as belongs to the whole pub lic. His private life belongs to his family, until the time is come to let the world know more of the greatest of practical astronomers and of the inner life of one of its most pro found philosophers, — of a great and ardent mind, whose achievements are and will re main the glory of England.