Gives a reply to the query on life assurance, but is not clear what the question is really about. Is flattered by the suggestion for a passage to the Cape in a Naval vessel, but has made up his mind to travel privately.
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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.
Gives a reply to the query on life assurance, but is not clear what the question is really about. Is flattered by the suggestion for a passage to the Cape in a Naval vessel, but has made up his mind to travel privately.
Is grateful for BH's interest over the matter of travel to the Cape. Gives his own views on the intentions of Sir James Graham. Intends to see Graham personally and thank him for his interest.
Comments on a letter from WH in which he discussed experiments WH had made on the infection of cowpox, typhoid, and scarlatina.
Has received a pamphlet from B about the apportionment of boroughs in a manner to eliminate the 'rotten' boroughs; JH critiques the pamphlet, especially its attempt at mathematical logic.
Responds to RP's concerns about the nature of light and the interpretation of some interference experiments. JH believes that the undulatory theory of light is the best supported by the experiments at this time.
Is now committed to the Cape journey, and will be occupied most of the time till then with the reduction of JH's nebulae observations. Comments on several other astronomical matters. [Letter is finished on board a steam packet on the way to Hamburg to visit JH's aunt, Caroline, dated 1832-6-9.]
Responds to JB's 1832-8-25 with comments about the optical properties of tourmaline. JH also talks about his astronomical work, including the collimator on his telescope and his double star work.
Compares in detail observations of several double stars made by several astronomers, and comments on differences; JH also describes a sighting of Biela's comet.
Returns manuscript and corrected proofs of one of JH's papers on double stars, with the rest of the paper going to Francis Baily.
Writes a letter of introduction for a friend [Dr. Robinson] of a friend to MF. Comments favorably on MF's electromagnetic research.
About the need to have the standard pound carefully measured so it can be compared with other standards of weight.
Arguing a statistical principle related to assessed values of several different boroughs.
Sends letter, inspired by J. von Liebig's paper on separation of metallic oxides, to Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Fears JH's scientist friends may fall victim to the 'terrible malady...now raging' [in Paris].
JH's notes on separation of iron oxide and a new procedure for complete purification of uranium.
Sends set of experimental spectacles for CM to use in testing persons for color-blindness, or 'Dichromic Vision.' Proposes several tests to be conducted with these.
Attempts explanation of curious subterranean acoustic phenomenon at Nakoos. Explains other natural acoustic phenomena and eruptions of geysers in Iceland. P.S.: Do not nominate JH to council of Geological Society.
As offered in [?]'s letter of 9 Aug. 1832, JH accepts position as member of B.A.A.S. Council.
Writes to inform RM of the arrival of Mr. Simonoff, director of the astronomical and magnetic observatory of Kasan, and indicates Mr. Simonoff's likely interests.
Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star WS had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests WS to observe a nebula in which JH has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.
Sends positions of Biela's Comet. Has much success with repolished telescope mirrors and collimator. Designs equatorial revolving roof for Cape observations; sends sketches. Compares WS's, W. R. Dawes's, and JH's observations of Gamma Virginis.