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.
Gives a reply to the query on life assurance, but is not clear what the question is really about. Is flattered by the suggestion for a passage to the Cape in a Naval vessel, but has made up his mind to travel privately.
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.
Is grateful for BH's interest over the matter of travel to the Cape. Gives his own views on the intentions of Sir James Graham. Intends to see Graham personally and thank him for his interest.
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.
Comments on a letter from WH in which he discussed experiments WH had made on the infection of cowpox, typhoid, and scarlatina.
Has received a pamphlet from B about the apportionment of boroughs in a manner to eliminate the 'rotten' boroughs; JH critiques the pamphlet, especially its attempt at mathematical logic.
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.
Responds to RP's concerns about the nature of light and the interpretation of some interference experiments. JH believes that the undulatory theory of light is the best supported by the experiments at this time.
Is now committed to the Cape journey, and will be occupied most of the time till then with the reduction of JH's nebulae observations. Comments on several other astronomical matters. [Letter is finished on board a steam packet on the way to Hamburg to visit JH's aunt, Caroline, dated 1832-6-9.]
Responds to JB's 1832-8-25 with comments about the optical properties of tourmaline. JH also talks about his astronomical work, including the collimator on his telescope and his double star work.