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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.
Has been urged to apply for the Headmastership of Sir Joseph Williamson's School at Rochester and would like JH's opinion on his suitability. Encloses a note from Edward Cooper.
Is grateful for his prompt reply; it is just what he required. Has not heard the result of his application yet.
Has had no reply to his letter of 29 March requesting his opinion on a memoir on the solar system. Would be grateful for a reply.
Believes that David Brewster's instrument for examining the lines of the spectrum was based on a formula of JH. Would be pleased if he could supply him with the details and he will then request J. H. Dallmeyer to construct one.
Is grateful for his note. Will take an early opportunity of placing JH's communication before his readers. Curious the oversight should not have been noticed before. Has no more details of David Brewster's instrument.
On Monday he should receive the proof of his communication. Comments on this communication and how it will be presented.
Has been studying the star discovered by Anthelm [Voituret Anthelme] in 1670. The star he discovered in Ophiuchus has not disappeared as stated by some astronomers. Bishop is seriously ill.
Has received several letters from German astronomers on U. J. J. Leverrier's suggestions for the re-naming of the asteroids. Comments on this. Is preparing a report for the R.A.S. and would like to hear JH's views on the subject.
Is very pleased he agrees with the present system of naming the asteroids; so does G. B. Airy. George Bishop died yesterday, and the Observatory is now in the hands of Bishop's son.
Sends his calculation of the number of days from the commencement of the Julian period to 1 Jan. 1801; the result agrees with that of JH.
[James?] Ferguson wants Titania changed to Echo, which he has now inserted in the forthcoming Nautical Almanac. H. M. S. Goldschmidt has recovered Pseudo-Daphne. U. J. J. Leverrier does not wish to name No. 59.
Will incorporate his suggestion respecting the introduction of the current Julian date in the Nautical Almanac. The name 'Baucis' has been proposed for No. 59. Has sent U. J. J. Leverrier his own views on nomenclature. Bishop's Observatory may be moved to Twickenham.
Will send the Nautical Almanac to Smith, Elder and Co. Is pleased they agree on the naming of the asteroids. Gives readings for the approaching transit of Mercury.
About the naming of asteroids.
Has received a letter from U. J. J. Leverrier requesting a name for No. 59; sees difficulties; so would JH suggest a name. Has sent the Nautical Almanac supplement and a memoir by Yvon Villarceau to Smith, Elder and Co.
Suggests the name 'Clio' for asteroid No. 59. Gives a list of proposed names for asteroids.
Is grateful for the ample list of suggested names for asteroids that JH has sent. Outlines the difficulties over the name 'Clio'. Would prefer 'Olympia.'. Believes 'Pseudo-Daphna' will be called 'Galatea'.
Found some old packets of seeds of Protea yesterday and wonders if he would like them to be sown to see if they would germinate. Comments on some of the plants in his garden. Tried some Peruvian potatoes.
Expressing sympathy on the illness of Margaret Louisa Marshall (JH's daughter). Would like to hear the latest news by the bearer. Would JH append his name to the enclosed form.
Requesting JH's autograph.