Thanks JM for a copy of the Correspondence of the Late J. Watt. In commenting on it, JH discusses at some length the doctrine of phlogiston as it relates to the discovery of the composition of water.
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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.
Thanks JM for a copy of the Correspondence of the Late J. Watt. In commenting on it, JH discusses at some length the doctrine of phlogiston as it relates to the discovery of the composition of water.
Thanks for sending his book on the Correspondence of James Watt. Hopes to give it the attention it deserves, but meanwhile comments on the water controversy of Henry Cavendish, Joseph Priestley, and James Watt.
In response to a request, JH is not willing to part with any letters from his father, William, but will send one of William Herschel's notes to his sister, Caroline.
Notes that actinometer observations prove faulty due to problem with instruments. Asks that WS notify Indian observatories to join others in terminating such observations until JH finds method of getting around problem.
The books are on their way [see GA's 1847-3-30].
Believes all actinometric measurements made are useless because they did not take into account the rate of expansion of the liquid, which is not constant.
Asks WS to take the chair at the next meeting of the R.A.S [probably concerning the Adams-Leverrier dispute].
Asks WS if possible to enclose a note by Francis Beaufort to John Russell concerning request for pension for Thomas Maclear. Lays aside double star observations; continues work on orbit equation.
Plans to write John Russell in an effort to secure a pension for Thomas Maclear; asks for R.A.S. and WS's support. Asks WS to obtain some facts relevant to pension request.
Proposal of giving medals to both J. C. Adams and U. J. J. Leverrier by William Whewell turned down by R.A.S.
Thanks for AD's paper on probability of arguments and on the syllogism.
George III defrayed all costs (£4000) for William Herschel's 40-feet reflecting telescope. JH began dismantling it in Dec. 1839. Lenses and equipment are in storage. Tube's internal structure of corrugated iron and framework's diagonal bracing were originated by WH.