William, however, possessed yet another gift, which he is lesslikely to have derived from the Jewish side of the house. He andhis brother Alexander were both distinguished by a natural tastefor mechanics, and early gave proof of their learning by turningneat globes with the equator and ecliptic accurately engraved uponthem, or by making model instruments for their own amusement out ofbits of pasteboard. Thus, in early opportunities and educationaladvantages, the youthful Herschels certainly started in life farmuch better equipped than most working men's sons; and, consideringtheir portlyher's doubtful position, it may seem at first sight rathera stretch of language to describe him as a working man at all.Nevertheless, when one remembers the humble grade of militarybandsmen in Germany, even at the present day, and the fact thatmost of the Herschel family remained in that grade during all theirlives, it is clear that William Herschel's life may be fairlyincluded within the scope of the present series. "In my fifteenthyear," he says himself, "I enlisted in military service," and heevidently looked upon his enlistment in exactly the same light asthat of any ordinary soldier.