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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 [James Clark] Ross's journal and revised B.A.A.S. magnetic report. Discusses proposals for observation in Africa. ES will send various instruments to Africa.
Sends letter from [A. T.] Kupffer regarding magnetic observations. Discusses Great Toronto Disturbance of 18 November and observation of it at Greenwich, St. Helena, and St. Petersburg.
Thinks enclosed letter should be appended to [James] Farquharson's report on aurora. Wants to bring magnetometer to Alford. Hopes JH has [Humphrey] Lloyd's article regarding instruments.
Discusses proposed temperature experiments involving balloons. Prince Edward Island would be good observatory but funds are lacking. [C. F.] Gauss's article translated for Scientific Memoirs.
Wants JH to include [J. C.] Ross's instructions in his forthcoming report. Encloses tract on station errors. Discusses [Elias] Loomis's findings regarding errors in measurement.
Will be happy to send particulars from [C. F.] Gauss's information. [Humphrey] Lloyd's instrument records changes in horizontal intensity best. Wants to employ magnetometers in New York.
Corrects information from an earlier letter. [John] Caldecott stated that diurnal curve of declination changed with monsoon at Trivandum. Discusses [William] Allen and observation with transportable magnetometer.
Sends JH some actinometer observations and a letter from G. B. Airy to forward to Humphrey Lloyd. Also some observations of shooting stars made by [James] Farquharson.
Discusses problem involving JH, George Peacock, Humphrey Lloyd, and Wilhelm Weber regarding the price of magnetometers. Also mentions reports of magnetic observations in Russia and at the Cape of Good Hope.
Asks JH's advice on the publication of various observations. Is also awaiting advice from Humphrey Lloyd.
Relates Humphrey Lloyd's complaint that JH sent Mr. Meyerstein's letter by mistake. Asks JH to forward [A. T.] Kupffer's letter along with those enclosed from Charles Riddell on the magnetism survey in America. Asks for JH's advice on the publication of the observations.
Assures JH that he will publish magnetic observations as JH desires. [Hussey] Vivian awaits the estimate of cost of publication. Encloses circular sent to the British magnetic observatories. Informs JH that the Niger and Guiana magnetometers have arrived safely. They should provide interesting comparisons with other observatories.
Has learned of the availability of a house at Kew, which could be used as a magnetic and meteorological observatory. Dr. Robinson has received the instruments.
Francis Beaufort will send JH sheets from James Ross covering trip from the Cape to Van Diemen's Land. Laments Charles Riddell's leave of absence but acknowledges replacement Lieutenant Younghusband's skill. States that C. F. Gauss has informed him by letter of the location of the south magnetic pole. Informs of [Edward] Belcher's letter concerning various magnetic stations in the South Pacific.
Congratulates JH on his latest child. Notes that data from James Ross show great disturbances at the Kerguelen station simultaneously with Toronto and Greenwich. Has sent various data to C. F. Gauss. Wilhelm Weber reports a new magnetic station at Havana recording by the British system. Notes Ross's dip data supports Gauss's theoretical expectations.
Norwegian government plans to support a magnetic observatory. Discusses details concerning R.S.L. logistical support and sources for instruments and training. Encloses Wilhelm Weber's letter concerning the instruments. Notes Charles Riddell's return and Lieutenant Younghusband's continued good work.
Forwards request of the Secretary of the Treasury for justification of public monies for expenses incurred for magnetic and meteorological observations of the Antarctic expedition. Brief note from JH should suffice for House approval. Note should mention G. B. Airy's request concerning the reduction of the Greenwich lunar and planetary observations and Francis Beaufort's concerning navigation. ES promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Quotes passage from C. E. Trevelyan (Treasury Office) to [Hussey] Vivian concerning the number of copies of published data and the number of magnetic observatories. Requests JH's perusal and advice. Includes letter from [A. T.] Kupffer on latest observations.
Relates discussion with [Hussey] Vivian on magnetic survey of Africa and Treasury support thereof. Discusses administration of various stations.
Discusses the reductions and publication of magnetic observations from various stations. Describes report of the Antarctic expedition and the determination of the magnetic pole. Endorses proposal for Canadian Survey. Discusses survey of South Africa and British Guiana.