Congratulations on how the deliberations concerning awarding the R.A.S. medal came off 'well & quietly.' Recommends how JH's notice on F. W. Bessel should be distributed.
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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.
Congratulations on how the deliberations concerning awarding the R.A.S. medal came off 'well & quietly.' Recommends how JH's notice on F. W. Bessel should be distributed.
Has heard that the R.A.S. council's 'no-medal resolution' has produced much dissatisfaction, which will not disappear by a general vote supporting the acts of the council. Thinks that the course adopted is wrong. If the council will not reconsider in favor of a positive conclusion, JH suggests that the issue be raised in a general meeting of the R.A.S. and that its decision be accepted with 'alacrity.' Holds himself free, as President, from any obligation to uphold 'in speaking or writing' whatever decision results.
Has learned of more dissatisfaction with the R.A.S. council's decision regarding awarding its medal. Because the council rejected the proposal to give more than one medal, the decision to medalize no one was a logical consequence. Expects the matter will be raised in the general meeting. Wants some positive conclusion, not a negative one. Restates his original position that medals ought go to both, with care taken in the wording so as to avoid national rivalry.
Has written G. B. Airy stating his approval of having JH's statement favoring awarding two R.A.S. medals read. Wants to be fair to U. J. J. Leverrier, and does not want to 'stultify' the existing council. Is enclosing a copy of his note to Airy.
Has written to G. B. Airy requesting that at the R.A.S. meeting, Airy show RS the note JH wrote to him. Announces 'LV's' [U. J. J. Leverrier's] election as an associate of the R.A.S.
Has the papers by [Thomas] Henderson but they do not contain much information.
On a puzzling aspect of [Thomas] Henderson's papers. One column in his tables seems to have been altered in someone else's handwriting. Wants to know the origin of these corrections, and how Henderson's tables ought to be printed. Offers several options.
Has figured out why [Thomas] Henderson's tables [see JH's 1847-5-6] appear as they do.
Sends RS his address so that RS or G. B. Airy can send proofs.
Answers questions raised by RS concerning the preface JH was writing for N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars. Objects to JH being seen as responsible for the contents of the book itself, even though he served on the first two B.A.A.S. committees dealing with the reduction of Lacaille's stars.
Asks RS to check the background of Samuel B. Lamb, who wants to lease JH's house at Slough.
Invites RS to dinner in Collingwood on 10 [July], as F. G. W. Struve will be there. U. J. J. Leverrier may also come, but G. B. Airy and John Lubbock cannot attend.
Suggests RS visit Hawkhurst ca. 12 July as U. J. J. Leverrier, F. G. W. Struve, and J. C. Adams will be visiting. Suggests RS come with [W. R.] Dawes. JH's book [Cape Results] is nearly ready for private distribution. Asks RS that JH be allowed to tell parties, to whom a copy of the engraving of JH's portrait will be given, that it is a gift from RS, lest JH be considered immodest for giving his own 'effigy.'
Gives information from W. R. Hamilton on the location of the asteroid Iris. Proposes R.A.S. begin collecting observations of sunspots, the goal being a complete series of 'the sun's aspect for every day of every year.' Offers the observations of H. Griesbach for 1846 as a 'nest egg' as well as some of his own. Requests address of G. Schwinck, who prepared a star atlas. Reports on F. G. W. Struve's Neptune observations.
The comet should bear Maria Mitchell's name. If [Francesco] DeVico 'grumbles,' RS could note that Madame Rümker also discovered the comet on [Oct] 3rd. 'What was there in it to attract the eyes of the female part of the creation so especially?'
Likes RS's R.A.S. associate list. Must give the Americans a year or two more before it can be adequately ascertained who their top astronomers are. Sends a letter JH received from John Lubbock, who wants the opportunity in January to present new methods in perturbation theory. Responds to RS on the means of the R.A.S. recognizing significant contributions to astronomy.
Adds list of names for consideration as foreign associates [of the R.A.S.], including Americans. Changes in John Lubbock's requirements for his project.
Cannot explain how Thomas Henderson arrived at special figures in N. L. Lacaille's star catalog. Will examine Lacaille's volumes tomorrow.
Reports organization of N. L. Lacaille's star catalog. Suggests method by which to compare this with Thomas Henderson's figures to determine Henderson's method of computation.
Arranges concurrent meetings of Standards Committee and Visitation [to Greenwich observatory]. Possible explanation for notations in [Thomas Henderson's] 'tables at June 11.' Please review and edit 'Preface to Lalande.' Will write to [Elizabeth] Baily.