Praises and comments on RJ's book on economics [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Laments overly strong language used by William Fitton and Charles Babbage in criticizing R.S.L. Comments on JH having lost the election for R.S.L. presidency.
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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.
Praises and comments on RJ's book on economics [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Laments overly strong language used by William Fitton and Charles Babbage in criticizing R.S.L. Comments on JH having lost the election for R.S.L. presidency.
Of isomorphic crystals and their varying behavior in response to heat, and of double stars.
Declines election to R.S.L. Council.
Sorry to hear of JL's financial misfortune. Must delay responding to JL's request until JH confers with JH's wife.
Offers to loan JL £300 without interest or collateral to meet 'unjustificable severity' of JL's landlord. Tell JL's son to call on JH to discuss loan and unsatisfactory condition of the Merke [Herschel family's farm property].
Sorrow of Mrs. Stewart [at death of Isabella]. JH has not seen much of Captain [John] Franklin, who arrived ill. JH's contest with Duke of Sussex for presidency of R.S.L. JS's invitation to visit India has rekindled JH's desire to study southern skies. Wanted once to move to Paramatta. Is considering Cape of Good Hope, and possibly visiting India to view Himalaya mountains. Will send copies of JH's Prelim. Discourse. Answers JS's questions about Babbage's Engine.
JH and Margaret arrived safely. Changes in town since 1826 visit. [Letter continues 19 Aug.:] Unable to find lodgings. Both babies [Caroline and Isabella] enjoy sea.
Plans to arrive tomorrow for visit.
Comments on the work of T. G. Taylor in reducing the observations for [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue, and on an appropriate remuneration for the work. Enclosed are comments for the benefit of Taylor.
Offers opinions about the instructions to be furnished to the Cape astronomer, especially about tide and meteorological observations, and about surveying an arc. JH hopes to see Thomas Henderson before Henderson leaves for the Cape to assume the post of astronomer there.
Sends double star observations and periods. Asks WS if he has met W. R. Dawes. JH believes JH's eyes to be lacking in light sensitivity.
Notes that 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii have parallel proper motion; believes that James South overestimates the importance of this fact. Suggests double stars for WHS to observe.
Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Writes to tell James Hudson where to find tables that will allow comparison between Italian and English measurements.
Is arranging to spend an evening with TH and [J. J.] Lister.
Has received a copy of JH's paper on double stars, but is confined to bed by a severe attack of rheumatism, so is not sure when he can finish the corrections.
Wants WS to make a choice between the several skeleton forms JH has devised for recording astronomical observations. Also comments on orbit of Gamma Virginis and 30 Scorpii, as well as Encke's Comet.
Sends condolences on the death of MF's husband [Fearon Fallows]. JH thanks MF for her kind offer of information about the Cape; JH is so unsure of ever being able to go there that he hopes that MF will not mention this to anyone.
JH was in Isle of Wight and did not receive dinner invitation. Apologizes for not coming. Asks when Mrs. Somerville's book [Mechanism of the Heavens] will be published.
Discusses feelings about offer of knighthood. Is ambivalent. Praises the Chancellor's [Henry Brougham's] interest in science.