From Mary Somerville   [6 March 1830]

My dear Sir,

I do not know what to say in apology for sending the first few sheets to you again, but I really should feel uneasy without your opinion as to the changes I have made. I think it is now more consistent, and regular, perhaps I have omitted some things that ought to have been inserted, and probably have not sufficiently explained the more obscure passages — others I may have misapprehended. at all events your opinion would be invaluable and I shall write it again with pleasure should you think it necessary.

Having altered the arrangement of these sheets it may be necessary to make some change in that respect in those that remain for to say the [illegible] I forget how they stand having been long engaged with the application. I have finished the moon and satellites which completes what I intended, but whether the whole or any part ever goes to the press will depend on your advice which I know will be given with the truth of a friend and for which I never can be sufficiently thankful.

With every kind wish to Mrs Herschel believe me ever

truly yours

M. Somerville

6th March

Please cite as “Herschel2640,” in Ɛpsilon: The Sir John Herschel Collection accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/herschel/letters/Herschel2640