Responds positively to HL's 1839-4-17, and adds some additional comments.
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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.
Responds positively to HL's 1839-4-17, and adds some additional comments.
Has just done photographic experiments using bromine paper, and is very pleased with them. JH notes in a postscript that he had just received a letter from W. H. Fox Talbot stating that Fox Talbot had just discovered bromine paper as well.
Describes three-year magnetic survey proposed by R.S.L. Asks H.E.I.C. court of directors to provide support for three observing stations: at Madras, at Bombay, and in Himalayas. Humphrey Lloyd will supervise training of observers.
Let India Board move at its own pace, and do not call on Lord Northampton. JH will write privately to 'Major J.' to suggest proper training for appointed observers.
Thanks WH for the bulbs, seeds, and a book, which he sent from South Africa. JH describes how well the tubers that JH brought back from South Africa are doing. JH complains about the weather in England. Sends WH a specimen of a plant 'photograph' made with W. H. F. Talbot's newly devised system.
Does not have operational telescope. Suggests WS set 1840 as epoch.
About the question of an astronomer for a vacant position at Kew Observatory.
Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of ES's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by ES.
Thanks WS for offer of professorship of astronomy at Oxford, but declines it, partly because of other pursuits and health reasons, and considers his astronomical career terminated.
Concerns about equipment for fixed observatories, for which aid will come from B.A.A.S., and for [naval] expedition. Expresses vital importance of meteorological observatory on Van Diemen's Land.
Discusses arrangements for the printing of a portrait of JH in some copies of a forthcoming volume [JH's Cape Results].
Sends plans to construct barometer that he never built; invites JP to use the plans.
Sends Michael Faraday's analysis of TM's meteorite specimen. Cape Observatory will receive theodolite and sidereal telescopes. Government orders Antarctic Magnetico-Explorative Expedition. JH's photography work results in unfixed images. Will report on TM's paper concerning the [N. L.] Lacaille's Stations.
Finds that he is unable to attend the Council Meeting so would FB take the chair. Business to be brought before council. Ernesto Capocci has seen a spot on the sun.
On the variability of the star Alpha Cassiopeia.
Has marked Thomas Maclear's paper and returned it to Thomas Galloway.
Has been getting information about the area with a view to buying a house there; met J. W. Lubbock and was very shocked by Lubbock's unhealthy appearance.
Translation of a work by C. F. Gauss and Wilhelm Weber will provide the information requested. Hopes [William Cranch] B[ond] will participate in magnetic observations. Explains 'Copper Dampers.'
Comments on several approaches to fixing images on paper, especially using pure water as a fixing agent. Has developed a new sensitive paper but is keeping it secret until perfected. Is leaving for Continent on 1 May.
JH reports his discovery of a highly sensitive paper. Tint continues to deepen with time, as bromine does not. Not prepared to reveal process at present. Is off to Paris.