[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

pass now near one star and now near another, so that many stars will in the lapse of ages
discharge the various functions which the present Pole Star does for us. In about 12,000
years, for instance, the pole will have come near the bright star, Vega. This movement of the
pole had been known for ages. But what Bradley discovered was that the pole, instead of
describing an uniform movement as had been previously supposed, followed a sinuous course
now on one side and now on the other of its mean place. This he traced to the fluctuations of
the moon's orbit, which undergoes a continuous change in a period of nineteen years. Thus
the efficiency with which the moon acts on the protuberant mass of the earth varies, and thus
the pole is caused to oscillate.
This subtle discovery, if perhaps in some ways less impressive than Bradley's earlier
achievements of the detection of the aberration of light, is regarded by astronomers as
testifying even in a higher degree to his astonishing care and skill as an observer, and justly
entitles him to a unique place among the astronomers whose discoveries have been effected
by consummate practical skill in the use of astronomical instruments.
Of Bradley's private or domestic life there is but little to tell. In 1744, soon after he became
Astronomer Royal, he married a daughter of Samuel Peach, of Chalford, in Gloucestershire.
There was but one child, a daughter, who became the wife of her cousin, Rev. Samuel Peach,
rector of Compton, Beauchamp, in Berkshire.
Bradley's last two years of life were clouded by a melancholy depression of spirits, due to an
apprehension that he should survive his rational faculties. It seems, however, that the ill he
dreaded never came upon him, for he retained his mental powers to the close. He died on
13th July, 1762, aged seventy, and was buried at Michinghamton.
WILLIAM HERSCHEL.
William Herschel, one of the greatest astronomers that has ever lived, was born at Hanover,
on the 15th November, 1738. His father, Isaac Herschel, was a man evidently of considerable
ability, whose life was devoted to the study and practice of music, by which he earned a
somewhat precarious maintenance. He had but few worldly goods to leave to his children, but
file:///D|/Great Astronomers (Ball, R. S.)/greatastronomers2.htm (83 of 156) [03.04.2007 19:19:46]
Great Astronomers
he more than compensated for this by bequeathing to them a splendid inheritance of genius.
Touches of genius were, indeed, liberally scattered among the members of Isaac's large
family, and in the case of his forth child, William, and of a sister several years younger, it was
united with that determined perseverance and rigid adherence to principle which enabled
genius to fulfil its perfect work.
A faithful chronicler has given us an interesting account of the way in which Isaac Herschel
educated his sons; the narrative is taken from the recollections of one who, at the time we are
speaking of, was an unnoticed little girl five or six years old. She writes:--
"My brothers were often introduced as solo performers and assistants in the orchestra at the
Court, and I remember that I was frequently prevented from going to sleep by the lively
criticisms on music on coming from a concert. Often I would keep myself awake that I might
listen to their animating remarks, for it made me so happy to see them so happy. But
generally their conversation would branch out on philosophical subjects, when my brother
William and my father often argued with such warmth that my mother's interference became
necessary, when the names--Euler, Leibnitz, and Newton--sounded rather too loud for the
repose of her little ones, who had to be at school by seven in the morning." The child whose
reminiscences are here given became afterwards the famous Caroline Herschel. The narrative
of her life, by Mrs. John Herschel, is a most interesting book, not only for the account it
contains of the remarkable woman herself, but also because it provides the best picture we
have of the great astronomer to whom Caroline devoted her life.
This modest family circle was, in a measure, dispersed at the outbreak of the Seven Years'
War in 1756. The French proceeded to invade Hanover, which, it will be remembered,
belonged at this time to the British dominions. Young William Herschel had already obtained
the position of a regular performer in the regimental band of the Hanoverian Guards, and it
was his fortune to obtain some experience of actual warfare in the disastrous battle of
Hastenbeck. He was not wounded, but he had to spend the night after the battle in a ditch,
and his meditations on the occasion convinced him that soldiering was not the profession
exactly adapted to his tastes. We need not attempt to conceal the fact that he left his
regiment by the very simple but somewhat risky process of desertion. He had, it would seem,
to adopt disguises to effect his escape. At all events, by some means he succeeded in eluding
detection and reached England in safety. It is interesting to have learned on good authority
that many years after this offence was committed it was solemnly forgiven. When Herschel
had become the famous astronomer, and as such visited King George at Windsor, the King at
their first meeting handed to him his pardon for deserting from the army, written out in due
form by his Majesty himself.
It seems that the young musician must have had some difficulty in providing for his
maintenance during the first few years of his abode in England. It was not until he had
reached the age of twenty-two that he succeeded in obtaining any regular appointment. He
was then made Instructor of Music to the Durham Militia. Shortly afterwards, his talents being
file:///D|/Great Astronomers (Ball, R. S.)/greatastronomers2.htm (84 of 156) [03.04.2007 19:19:46]
Great Astronomers
more widely recognised, he was appointed as organist at the parish church at Halifax, and his
prospects in life now being fairly favourable, and the Seven Years' War being over, he
ventured to pay a visit to Hanover to see his father. We can imagine the delight with which old
Isaac Herschel welcomed his promising son, as well as his parental pride when a concert was
given at which some of William's compositions were performed. If the father was so intensely
gratified on this occasion, what would his feelings have been could he have lived to witness
his son's future career? But this pleasure was not to be his, for he died many years before
William became an astronomer.
In 1766, about a couple of years after his return to England from This visit to his old home,
we find that Herschel had received a further promotion to be organist in the Octagon Chapel,
at Bath. Bath was then, as now, a highly fashionable resort, and many notable personages
patronised the rising musician. Herschel had other points in his favour besides his professional
skill; his appearance was good, his address was prepossessing, and even his nationality was a
distinct advantage, inasmuch as he was a Hanoverian in the reign of King George the Third.
On Sundays he played the organ, to the great delight of the congregation, and on week-days
he was occupied by giving lessons to private pupils, and in preparation for public
performances. He thus came to be busily employed, and seems to have been in the enjoyment
of comfortable means.
From his earliest youth Herschel had been endowed with that invaluable characteristic, an [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

razem.keep.pl