JH will break his rule about never going out when it is possible to sweep the sky, and dine with TM; will offer some help over mural circle problems.
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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.
JH will break his rule about never going out when it is possible to sweep the sky, and dine with TM; will offer some help over mural circle problems.
Comments on social matters, and on what JH has been observing.
Is greatly exercised over the passing of the Vagrants Act, which JP believes is intended to, and will, discriminate against the blacks.
JH encourages JP's compassionate approach to the problem of racial relationships [see JP's 1834-9-18].
In his travels, GP met James Stewart (Margaret Herschel's brother); gives GP's assessment of James Stewart. Comments on JH's intended voyage to the Cape, and wishes him well.
Recent article in Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal confirms JH's notion about transfer of atmospheric pressure between hemispheres. Meteorological journal from 1828 to 1833 of Captain Barnes, port officer of Cape Town, provided JH with formula for determining annual maxima and minima of pressure.
Describes enclosed sketches of Cape Flats and mountains, viewed from Feldhausen. Names ships that carry JH's letters, sketches, and bird skins to friends in England.
Describes Wynberg's climate, plants, scenery, and social customs. Margaret's collection of flower paintings. 20-ft. telescope became active on 26 Feb. Duncan Stewart departed today aboard Claudine. Thank Peter [Stewart] for papers sent to JH. French Academy awarded medal to JH.
Settling in. Regrets departure of Duncan Stewart. Ignore James South's increasing attacks; they cannot harm JH. Hunted Cape 'wolf' last night. All observing instruments are up and active. Laments poor local workmanship. Praises John Fairbairn's editorials.
JS's visit with G. A. A. Plana. Ship Mercury was found safe but weather beaten. New baby [Margaret Louisa] is healthy. Stars are very clear. Commercial panic in Cape colony.
Compares readings of JH's and ER's barometers to those of Cape Observatory and of R.S.L. Observations of sea surface temperatures made by JH during voyage to Cape of Good Hope. Returns manuscripts.
Extract from JH's journal on voyage to Cape of Good Hope, showing barometer and thermometer readings from 23 Nov. 1833 (Lat. 33˚20' N) to 5 Jan. 1834 (Lat 31˚30' S). Compares these to ER's thermometer and R.S.L. standard thermometer. Will accompany ER to [Cape] observatory next week. Please conduct barometer and temperature observations on ER's return trip [to India].
Poem in honor of JH's arrival at Cape of Good Hope.
Feels uneasy giving response to members of expedition into interior, who requested government instruments, until TM hears from Admiral [Frederick] Warren and judges expedition's chances for success. Asks JH's opinion.
Describes in detail many of the plants at the Cape, especially flowering and variously scented ones.
Wants advice on reading thermometers and barometers. Asks for some temperature readings JH made. Will send some Calcutta newspapers. Invites Herschel's to dinner.
Includes temperature readings for waters near the Cape. Sends 'Thomson's Lunar Tables' and [Thomas] 'Lynn's Horary Tables.' Servant's health is failing. May have to send her home immediately.
Introduces Captain James Alexander, who has explored Africa. Will hail JH's return from the Cape with pride.
Discusses contribution of WS's son, C. P. Smyth, as Thomas Maclear's assistant. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet, Gamma Virginis, other celestial objects, and the use of a double image micrometer.
JH's last letter before departure has brought AQ great pleasure. Has not received JH's memoir on absorption of light. Has mentioned JH's name in an attempt to explain the idea of Cambridge Reunion. Disappointed at not yet having received equatorial and mural circle. Asks for news of JH's observations.