Of family news, health, and an eclipse of the moon [letter completed 1834-1-8].
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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.
Of family news, health, and an eclipse of the moon [letter completed 1834-1-8].
Of dreams and illness.
Of the return to France and the family health.
Is glad Mrs. Hall has written to Lady Herschel. Would like a private yacht so that he could travel round the world making scientific observations. Is pleased JH had a good voyage to the Cape and hopes things are progressing.
Forwarding two letters via Francis Beaufort. Has no political or scientific news as they are at present residing in a remote Austrian castle which they find very refreshing after the noise of Vienna. Longs to hear of JH's labors with the constellations.
Is happy to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape and comfortably housed. Comments on two stars Alpha1 and Alpha2 Centauri.
Describes enthusiastically the journey to the Cape, the beauties of the country, and the joys of astronomical observing there.
Describes the departure of an expedition north of the Cape, as well as the pleasures of the country and the beautiful skies for observing. The delivery of mail is, however, so erratic as to be vexatious.
Thanks RJ for having helped J[ohn] Stewart, [JH's brother-in-law], to a job; offers to try to get some South African statistics for the Statistical Society, and along the way comments on South African political life. JH describes life at the Cape, and the beauties of the skies.
Acknowledges receipt of some parcels, and then discusses in some detail JH's financial situation, including the fact that JH's aunt, Caroline, has refused the annual portion of rent from Slough. JH expresses concern for the safety of Mr. Calder, and concludes with some family news.
Comparing meteorological records from Bengal with those at the Cape, JH is led to some theoretical considerations about air movements, supporting his ideas with reference to other meteorological observations.
Rejoices to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape, and his interest in Cape educational matters. Hears he has already paid attention to the native race. Sends letter by Dr. J. D. Lang of New South Wales.
Sends letter by Jonathan Stander, who is to work in the educational field at the Cape. Is pleased JH serves on the management committee of the Infants schools. Wishes success to the expedition to explore the interior of S. Africa. Thanks for his paper on nebulae. Enjoyed the B.A.A.S. meeting at Edinburgh. Sends one of his own pamphlets on African colonization. Thomas Bell wishes to be remembered to him.
Provides an account of JH's observatory arrangements, some interesting observations, and the effect of the weather on observing.
Delayed acknowledging JH's letter until the return of [James?] Hudson from Derbyshire as he knew he would be interested in the atmosphere and temperature of the ocean. Comments on this and quotes a review of Captain Foster's voyages in the Athenaeum.
All his friends are pleased to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape. Sends a cutting from the Athenaeum, which announces the fact. Is anxious to know if he obtained any observations with his barometer.
Sends some packages and his Transactions. Sent through [Peter?] Stewart the first volume of Col. Mark Beaufoy's Observations. Sends copies of the Athenaeum, which contains details of the Edinburgh meeting. Will be placed on the list to receive free copies of the Athenaeum.
Hopes he received his Essay on the Primitive Standard. Arrived at Simon's Town on Tuesday and hopes to call on JH before he departs.
Comparisons of the functioning of JH's barometer and that of TM.
Heat has driven Mrs. Maclear to leave a card with Lady D'Urban. Sends the state of the barometer and thermometer for the last three days. Stars were in capital form for the telescope last night. Has retained the list of furniture of Major Ross.