Comments on a proposed request for a government grant to establish a magnetic and meteorological institute.
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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 a proposed request for a government grant to establish a magnetic and meteorological institute.
Drawing attention to his prediction of the storms of 1838 and 1839.
The Physical [?] Committee is meeting the next day to deal with the question of establishing a magnetic and meteorological observatory. JH [Chair of the Physical Committee?] cannot attend the meeting and sends his supportive, but cautioning, comments.
Arrived in England two days ago after a tedious voyage. Would like to visit JH. Off to Scotland next week. Called at the Colonial Office and had a friendly reception. G. T. Napier's dispatch has been received.
JH must have read William Whewell's History of the Inductive Sciences. John Murray thinks JH's opinion of this work would form a valuable article for the Quarterly Review.
GA's correspondence with [R.S.L. president] Lord Northampton [S. J. A. Compton] will be read before Physical Committee. JH favors establishing national physical observatory and experimental institute, but wishes plan had been discussed more fully. Proposes sites, procedures, and instruments for magnetic and meteorological observations in Britain. Ideas for experimental institute.
Dissatisfied with R.S.L. procedures for establishing magnetic and meteorological observatory. Called meeting of Physical Committee tomorrow and invited G. B. Airy to attend. Busy reducing JH's observations from Cape of Good Hope.
Has called special meeting of Physical Committee to discuss SC's response to R.S.L.'s proposal to establish permanent observatory. Expresses JH's opinion and recommends temporary observatory instead. Keep this issue separate from funding for publication of present observations.
Gives reasons why CH rejoiced at news of Mrs. Papendick's death, and grieves that two daughters of Papendick are gaining influence at Court.
Sends JH a copy of extracts from unpublished papers on the question of standards, and asks for JH's comments on these extracts.
Requests the views of JH, and all other Standards Commission members, on the various subjects before the Commission; GA will compile these and circulate them to all Commission members to expedite discussions at future meetings.
Apologizes for not having written, but has been 'harassed with desultory and importunate calls on [his] name.' Commends WS on accomplishments at Pulkowa and performance of Repsold instruments. Congratulates WS on his son Otto Struve. Received WS's figures on Halley's Comet. Comments on bright stars of variable nature. Estimates 35 or 36 magnetic observatories in the world.
Is displeased by R.S.L. Council's seemingly rash resolution with regard to idea of permanent magnetic observatory.
Further remarks on council meeting about permanent magnetic observatory and G. B. Airy's answer [to invitation to head it?]. Awaits communication from William Lamb (Lord Melbourne).
At direction of J. W. Lubbock, encloses letter addressed to William Lamb (Lord Melbourne) by R.S.L. president [Spencer Compton] [regarding magnetic observatory].
Hopes to introduce to Margaret Herschel some of her acquaintances, including the family of General Baron Hugh Halkett.
Regarding the printing of Thomas Maclear's Survey papers. Work on magnetical and meteorological observations.
Responds to GA's circulated material for the Standards Commission; suggests time to digest the information.
Thanks for his invitation. N. L. Lacaille's observations are in process of reduction and work is continuing on the constellations. Regarding the project for a new observatory. Greenwich observation could probably cover a wider field if staff were increased. Has received a silver medal for JH from Wilhelm Struve. Government is to print Thomas Maclear's paper. T. G. Taylor has arrived from Madras bringing his fifth volume of observations.
Organizational matters relating to sending two vessels on an Antarctic expedition.