Comments on JH's lost election for President of the R.S.L.
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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.
Comments on JH's lost election for President of the R.S.L.
Wants to print some of JH's observations in his own appendix. Congratulates him on the progress and issue of the R.S.L. business. One of JH's papers was read at the Geological Society last evening and created a good impression, especially from Adam Sedgwick.
Has received the parcels of corrected slips and directed the printer to continue composing from the corrected slips. Has been requested by the editor of the Edinburgh Review to prepare an article on Humphry Davy. Can JH supply such an article as DL has no time himself?
Regarding the printing of JH's memoir, which William Fitton has now taken to read: suggests it be printed in abstract first of all.
Informs JH that he has been put onto an R.S.L. committee to consider the continuation of observations in the Southern Hemisphere, and to announce a meeting of that committee and of the Glass Committee.
Pleased that JH enjoyed the ale. Asks whether comets could be portions of the luminous atmosphere surrounding the sun.
Will not be coming to either meeting [see James Hudson's 1830-12-18], because JH has fully expressed himself previously on the matter of Southern Hemisphere observations, and had already asked to be excused from further association with Glass Committee and any other connection with 'that subject.'
Regrets lack of time for WH's paper but has been occupied with nebulae and double stars. Finds it difficult to concentrate on one subject. Has proposed Edward Quin for Astronomical Society membership. Mentions [Francis] Beaufort's penchant for astronomy and the recent R.S.L. elections, as well as JH's wish to meet WH personally.
Sorry to hear that JH was not elected President of the R.S.L. Sending a supplement to WH's 'Theory of Systems of Rays' essay. Recommends [Edwin Richard Windham Wyndham-Quin,] Lord Adare for consideration as a member of the R.A.S.
Encloses paper 'Figure of the Earth.' Wants information on rays in quartz. Has tried A. J. Fresnel's experiments.
Would he please send back the proofs he sent the other day as the printers have requested their return. Regarding affairs at the R.S.L. Has he heard from the Treasury?
Comments on GA's and Edward Sabine's work on the figure of the earth; describes some results JH obtained from using quartz for polarizing light, and is unhappy with the proposed recipient of the R.A.S. medal, M. C. T. Damoiseau, whose lunar theory JH cannot understand.
Concerning the necessity for two observatories in the Southern Hemisphere.
Regrets that JH's statements about Thomas Young have offended Young's wife. Appreciates HG's dilemma. Hopes Mrs. Young will find competent person to write Young's biography. Please return JH's manuscript and destroy copies.
Sending two copies of JH's Prelim. Discourse; keep one and pass one to Charles Babbage. JH tried to cancel the motto for the book but it was too late.
JH's paper was read at the Geological Society and received great approbation; it will be printed in the Proceedings or Transactions. Was unable to be present as Mrs. Fitton gave birth to a son. Sorry state of the R.S.L. affairs. Intends to have nothing to do with the R.S.L. at present.
Signing certificates for election to fellowship in the R.S.L. at this time [JH having been nominated for President] would be very awkward for JH, so he will not sign for WT.