SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

In 'The Annals of Yorkshire, from the earliest period to the present time' Vol III by John Mayhall, in an account for May 11 1871 on pages 387/388 it mentions an incident in 1758 concerning a "marvellous" astronomical instrument that had almost been built by a music tutor when he lost his sight. The instrument was handed over to Frederick William Herschel (later to be Sir and the first President of the Royal Astronomical Society) then a music-master in Leeds to be completed by him. It was however stolen and thrown into the River Aire by a nurse in the tutor's family apparently to try to stop Herschel moving from Leeds to London. The "pretty but deformed girl" was said to have "become strongly attached to the handsome young music-master" but he still moved to London and "the poor girl in her search after the missing instrument was drowned in the Aire".I wonder if the instrument was ever found? It could still be there under mud, though it was probably washed away long ago in flood conditions.Under May 11 1871 it also stated "Nearly the whole of the old buildings having been removed, the preliminary works in connection with the reconstruction of Leeds Bridge were commenced this week".

I had no idea of a Leeds connection for Herschel,anyone else?

A quick look ont'interweb says Herschel did not come to Leeds til 1762,then moved to Halifax

According to my reference books, Herschel came to England in late 1757, aged 19, but no mention is made of where he was living at the time. His major interest at the time was in music, taught to him by his father, a professional musician of Hanover. Wilhelm,as he was at the time, played oboe, cello, and harpsichord, and became a composer of some distinction. He later also added organ to his accomplishments.Not long after his arrival in England he was charged with desertion    ( he had come as a member of an army band, and Hanover was at war ), but apparently escaped punishment, and came to Leeds in late 1761 after a spell in Newcastle. From Leeds he went to Halifax, where he was the first organist at St. John's Baptist Church. By 1766 Herschel was living in Bath, where he remained until 1785. There he became organist and orchestra leader, but more importantly, after 1773 he began to increasingly direct his focus towards astronomy, a subject in which he had also had instruction from his father. Astronomy is of course the field in which his fame lies.    

Oops! Crossed message, Cnosni. Sorry about that. My info comes from astronomy reference works.

In case anyone is wondering why the incident about the astronomical instrument reportedly in 1758 is mentioned in a report about May 11 1871 it was because that was said to be the date when Sir John Frederick William Herschel died. Born in 1792 he was said to be the only son of Sir Frederick William Herschel. In view of cnosni's and jim's comments the 1758 date seems to be wrong.

I wonder if it's possible that the report confuses the music teacher who went blind with Herschel? If the former was the only one who was part of the tragedy, and the instrument was fished out of the river afterwards and later passed to Herschel for repair, the whole series of events would make more sense. Pure speculation of course, I suspect we will never know.