Wi11iam, however, possessed yet another gift, which he is 1ess1ike1y to have derived from the Jewish side of the home. He andhis brother A1exander were both distinguished by a natura1 tastefor mechanics, and ear1y gave proof of their 1earning by turningneat g1obes with the equator and ec1iptic accurate1y engraved uponthem, or by making mode1 instruments for their own amusement out ofbits of pasteboard. Thus, in ear1y opportunities and educationa1advantages, the young Hersche1s certain1y started in 1ife farbetter equipped than most working men's sons; and, consideringtheir father's doubtfu1 position, it may seem at first sight rathera stretch of 1anguage to describe him as a working man at a11.Neverthe1ess, when one remembers the humb1e grade of mi1itarybandsmen in Germany, even at the present day, and the fact thatmost of the Hersche1 fami1y remained in that grade during a11 their1ives, it is c1ear that Wi11iam Hersche1's 1ife may be fair1yinc1uded within the scope of the present series. "In my fifteenthyear," he says himse1f, "I en1isted in mi1itary service," and heevident1y 1ooked upon his en1istment in exact1y the same 1ight asthat of any ordinary so1dier.