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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.
Was pleased to receive his flattering letter. Now two years since he sent copies of his observations to London and so far has had no reply. Would like to see them printed. Outlines some of the work he has been able to do with his very limited means. Hopes to be transferred soon.
Has just received JH's two letters of 5 and 25 Dec. Will prepare duplicates of his letters and pendulum observations and send them to Francis Beaufort. Has still heard nothing about the Observatory.
Sends the meteorological observations for March; unable to send any magnetic observations as he has been unwell. The Observatory escaped serious damage during the hurricane. Has been observing the disappearance of the comet. Comments on nebulae seen near its tail.
Sends meteorological observations for September. Has ceased making a charge at the observatory for the checking of chronometers. Has lost income but gained work. Comments on the effects of gravity on the balance wheel of a chronometer.
Is grateful for JH's kindness conveyed in his letter brought to him by Mohammed Ismail Khan. The latter has been attempting to persuade JL to go to Lucknow as an engineer, but has declined pending offer from the King of Oude. Will send his observations to Francis Beaufort after JH has left the Cape. Answers some of JH's queries.
Has delayed writing in order to send the correspondence about the Observatory. Has received a letter from the Colonial Office praising his work and increasing his salary, also taking over financial responsibility for the instruments. Is not satisfied with the life at Mauritius.
Forwarding meteorological and magnetic observations for Sept. and Dec. 1835. Has had no letter from the Governor, but is given to understand he may spend £100 towards the erection of a tide gauge. Have had two violent floods.