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.
Proud of WJH for introducing improvements into Indian judiciary system. Sorry to hear that WJH may have to leave Dacca.
Questions about Indian civil law regarding Bengal promisory notes and duties on probate.
JH sends and comments on drawings and a letter [see JH's son's 1868-11-23] from JH's son John regarding the nebula around Eta Argus. JH seems disinclined to accept the claim that Eta Argus has changed.
Received [?]'s paper no. 10, which completes JH's collection. Returns duplicates of [?]'s papers on Kew and Nerchinsk 'disturbances' and on 'Residual Laws of disturbance.'
Commentary on manuscript [Personal Recollections?] that [MS] sent to JH one month ago. Career of scientific learning and domestic happiness will inspire future generations. Suggests publishing it posthumously for greater impact. Corrects passages about Charles Babbage. Gives purpose, history, and membership of each of two Standards committees, one of 1819 and one of 1838. Suggests avoiding topic of bitter controversy over invention of electric telegraph.
Received TW's book and approves simplicity and economy of its method of keeping time by using small fixed telescope to reduce star observations. Disapproves of using 'Dominical Letters.' Suggests using Julian dates.
Grateful for JH's interest in survey of Sinai Peninsula and loan of JH's theodolite. [H. S.] Palmer will visit JH and receive instruction in its use. Asks to name JH as co-trustee of survey with Henry James.
JH and R. I. Murchison have agreed to be trustees [of Sinai survey; see PB's 1869-12-9]. Subscriptions to support survey. Sends description of expedition. Royal Geological Society unanimously approved survey.
Asks JH to confirm that JH appointed Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer on 25 Apr. 1851 after Henry Bingley declined position. Original letter of appointment is lost, and HF is accused of falsifying records.
Lists dates in 1851 on which steps were taken in appointment of Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer. HF is still under accusation.
Develops mathematical theorem.
Encloses copy of JS's letter to the Times in response to JH's recently published objections to currency system in India. Wishes to meet JH and discuss issue in private, then publish joint statement on subject.
Requests sending of a copy of recent R.S.L. Proceedings to JH's son in India.
Information about the distribution of papers.
Note to accompany an extract from JH's son John's letter, reporting on his observations of solar prominences.
In recent letter to the Times regarding international coinage, JH attributed viewpoint to Col. [J. T.] Smith that was in fact expressed by J. B. Smith, M.P. for Stockport. CW's remarks on valuation of coins.
Extended comments on John Herschel's [JH's son] observations of the spectrum of the solar corona.
Still worried about the meaning of some terms in John Herschel's [JH's son] paper [see GS's 1869-7-20].
Agrees with GS's clarification of 'continuous spectra' and other terms [see GS's 1869-9-2]. Includes a copy of part of a letter from John Herschel [JH's son] about solar prominences.
Clarifications of some confusion in the proof copy of a paper by John Herschel [JH's son].