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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.
Sends procedures for preparation of the report of the Magnetic Committee for the meeting of the B.A.A.S., which JH cannot attend due to illness; asks some questions about achromatic lens theory.
Thanks HL for the response to JH's queries [see JH's 1859-9-4].
Sends to HL a sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell, comparing Brussels declination observations with those made in Toronto. JH frequently refers to HL's work on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.
R.S.L. committee for considering continuance of magnetic observations has recommended that hourly observations be carried out at Falkland Islands, Newfoundland, and Vancouver Island. Alternate stations are Ceylon and Bermuda. Will not print all observations. Hopes colonial governments will participate. JH and William Whewell will be at [B.A.A.S. meeting in] Leeds.
R.S.L. committee recommends continuing three magnetic observatories at Falkland Islands, Newfoundland, and Vancouver Island.
Writes to ask for clarification of HL's views on the dispersion of light.
Would have liked to have welcomed JH on his return from the Cape, but academic duties prevented it. Royal Irish Academy progresses under W. R. Hamilton's presidency. His late father established a magnetic observatory at Dublin and HL is in charge.
Rejoices that JH is in favor of a South Polar expedition. Three years since a memorandum was presented to the government and thinks the B.A.A.S. should now present a further memo. Hopes JH will give it his support.
Agrees on the general plan for the expedition with the views of Edward Sabine. Gives some of his own comments for magnetic observations.
Has been considering with Edward Sabine that morning the requirements for the fixed observatories. Gives lists and also estimate of finances required for a three-year period.
Illness forces him to make a quick return home. Agrees with JH that scientific men should act unanimously when approaching government. Thinks the R.S.L. should go along with the B.A.A.S. as well. Hoped to consult G. B. Airy. Will see Edward Sabine to draw up the memorial.
Was pleased to hear of the success of JH's exertions. Comments on the instruments required. Thanks for his communication on the copper ring; will try it with the bifilar. W. H. F. Talbot talks of applying the photographic method to meteorological and magnetical instruments. Encloses a paper.
Has ordered the instruments for the Van Diemen's Land observatory. Is uncertain regarding the third magnetometer; T. C. Robinson's has not yet been tested. Will order a dip circle from Paris.
Has just had a letter from C. F. Gauss regarding the hours for observations; comments on this.
Finds that he misunderstood Edward Sabine's statement and may have misled JH. Comments on the observations desired from the Antarctic Expedition.
Has not heard of any results of JH's letter to D. F. J. Arago, but Georges Aimé has been appointed to direct an observatory in Algiers. Great interest at the Institute when JH's letter was read. Glad he did not waste a second letter to the Times.
Has received JH's letter with the sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell. Comments on these. Is honored by the notice JH has taken of his share in the magnetic project. Encloses note on the wet bulb [thermometer].
Has just received JH's letter of August as he has been traveling on the continent. Will see G. B. Airy tomorrow. Comments on Johann von Lamont's observatory at Munich. Discussed the Report of the Magnetic arrangements with Edward Sabine. Encloses letters. L. A. J. Quetelet would like support from the R.S.L. for additional observers in his observatory.
Regarding the publication of the magnetical and meteorological observations. Wonders if a letter from JH to the appropriate bodies would prove useful. Will give early consideration to the plan.
Took the chair at a meeting of the Committee for Physics at the R.S.L. Is to bring the matter before Council, who in turn will request the Master of Ordnance to publish the observations. Material from each observatory will require about half of a quarto volume.