JG is revising his diary.
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The Sir John Herschel Collection
The preparation of the print Calendar of the Correspondence of Sir John Herschel (Michael J. Crowe ed., David R. Dyck and James J. Kevin assoc. eds, Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1998, viii + 828 pp) which was funded by the National Science Foundation, took ten years. It was accomplished by a team of seventeen professors, visiting scholars, graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and staff working at the University of Notre Dame.
The first online version of Calendar was created in 2009 by Dr Marvin Bolt and Steven Lucy, working at the Webster Institute of the Adler Planetarium, and it is that data that has now been reformatted for incorporation into Ɛpsilon.
Further information about Herschel, his correspondence, and the editorial method is available online here: http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/herschel/?p=intro
No texts of Herschel’s letters are currently available through Ɛpsilon.
JG is revising his diary.
Encourages JH to undertake a proposed trip to the Southern Hemisphere [letter completed 1832-5-1].
Wants to hear more specifics of JH's travel plans.
Of travels and family health.
Has just put his son, Robert, into an institution for 'persons of unsound mind.'
On the health of the family.
Regrets to hear of the death of JH's mother. Has lost many friends and relatives during the last eight years. Staying with his two sons and has retired so would welcome a visit from the Herschels.
Regrets a hasty opinion should have evoked so long a letter. Regarding the status of cholera. Would be grateful for a specimen of W. Herschel's handwriting. Sun has been showing symptoms of decay and several have been trying to observe it with limited success.
Describes a new form of sketch book, which may interest him. Encloses a paper from a friend, which can be answered by means of algebra, of which he himself is ignorant. JH's affairs were mentioned by Sir James Graham, who suggested that the Admiralty may be able to assist JH with a passage to the Cape.
Sent JH's last letter to Sir James Graham to show him JH's feelings in the matter of transport to the Cape. Sir James replied to the effect that he would be very pleased to arrange a passage for JH. Hall feels in an awkward situation and thinks that JH should visit the Admiralty and have conversation with Sir James.
Has great hopes for the success of the [B.A.A.S.]. Would like JH's advice on the phenomenon of radiant matter to the laws of common matter, which he is preparing for a future meeting.
Thanks JH for his recent writings on double stars, and comments on a number of observational issues related to the same topic.
Spent a pleasant time with G. B. Airy at Cambridge. The 'Melville' ship sails from Portsmouth on Thursday and he has been promised a passage to the Cape in it. Proposes to call on him tomorrow to discuss certain things.
Was pleased to receive the elements of Gamma Virginis. Congratulations on his knighthood. J. J. Lister called on him recently and would like to see JH.
The time he proposes to visit them is very suitable and J. J. Lister will be there. The substance found in JH's telescope is very interesting. Hopes his mother is still well.
Has received the chronometer and will return it to Lister, together with his remarks on apertures. Charles May has found another individual suffering from color blindness. A friend has successfully made a reflecting microscope.
Sends items by F. W. Bessel and G. A. Plana. Will be dispatching boxes to various European towns next week and will be pleased to include any items from JH. His observations made recently show interesting results. Comments on these results and the influence of the bore.
Queries regarding a corroded clock face, and description of harvest bugs. Has an intermittent river in their district. Has now set up the Munich telescope and would be pleased to show it to JH. Does he want Amici's mirrors?
The black broth that the Spartans liked must have been mushroom ketchup. Suggests way of obtaining a portable dome. Sends drawing and description of the harvest bug. Is pleased to hear of his projected Cape expedition. Is carrying out observations of the moon.
Came with the intention of paying JH money, but finds he is out; what shall he do? Can he also advise him about the map for the R.A.S.?