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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.
Is anxious to hear from HL about his ideas for a major expedition for magnetic observations being considered by the B.A.A.S.
Further comments in preparation for discussion of major expedition [see JH's 1838-10-22] with representatives of the government.
C. P. Smyth will deliver the micrometer series JH lent him for examining the values of the transit level scale; comments on this. Had another peep at the stars JH mentioned and still finds Argus larger than Rigel. The tent fills Mrs. De Witt's yard. She is a friend and correspondent of Charles Grant (Baron Glenelg).
The zenith sector seems to perform very well, and he is now ready to move it to the stations. Has been troubled with cloudy weather. C. P. Smyth is working the mural circle on the stars. Thomas Jones has not prepared the diagonal scale promised by Francis Baily. Has not been well lately. No news from England except that Admiral George Elliott has permission from the Admiralty to settle the land question. Encloses a catalogue of Zenith stars.
Will not be time to take the zenith sector to Klypfonteyn before JH's departure. Must finish work with the pendulum as it has to be returned to Francis Baily via JH. Will ride over on Sunday morning.
Sends report on [N. L.] Lacaille's Observatory Stations. Tells of expeditions to Klipfontein. Lack of observing due to absence at Cape. Mural circle must be corrected or replaced. Needs an equatorial telescope. Agrees theodolite telescope would be useful.
Mr. Borcherd's son, who is contemplating work in the educational field in South Africa, would like to call on JH to obtain his advice. Question of the land about the Observatory has been settled. Has had a copy of G. B. Amici's paper on a prismatic reflecting circle; comments on this.
Intended calling on JH today but legs and feet were too swollen. Has postponed his journey to Klypfonteyn until the first week in March, to make some alterations to the instrument. Is glad JH will visit the mountains with him. Believes the Thalia is about to sail soon. Formalhoet is now useless at noon.
Thanks for information in his letter. Agrees with JH about the variability of Hydra. Argus is returning to its original brightness. The zenith sector is down and in parts and hopes to get it re-erected on Friday. Results at the Observatory are very good.
Informs JH that he has been appointed member of a B.A.A.S. committee to translate and publish in England foreign scientific memoirs.
Are looking forward to JH's trip to the Continent. Comment on recent observations of the moon's surface.
Offering tickets for the nave of the abbey for the Coronation as he hears that JH has not been provided with any. Elected [Thomas?] Greenwood into the Athenaeum.
Congratulates JH on return to England, his success at the Cape, and his ascension to the baronetcy. Praises JH for his contributions to many areas of science: 'The name of Herschel is ... the most spoken in this century.' Describes eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1834 and his studies of the event. Makes general comments on the progress of science in Italy.
Has now received JH's letter of the 5th. John Phillips will give JH the exact terms of the grant from the B.A.A.S. Will call at Slough to see the Herschels on his way to town. Deeply regrets that JH is not interested in the position at Cambridge, but M. J. Johnson will go far.
Regarding tickets for Lady Herschel's gallery. There has been some fracas with Charles Babbage over the distribution of these tickets.
Explaining why he wrote the letter to the Morning Post. Has heard that JH is about to be offered a baronetcy. Must also ask him about the future Presidency of the B.A.A.S.
The Silurian System is now at the binders, and he is now relaxing and doing Christmas visiting. Proposes to write to the editor of the Annals of Philosophy giving details of the vase to be presented to JH to mark his Cape sojourn. Can also send the literary effusions to Lady Herschel if she desires them.
Charles Babbage believes that RM prevented Babbage from becoming president of B.A.A.S. Denies this. Hopes JH can keep Babbage 'from overloading the cup of misfortune.'
JH is preparing to bring his observations at the Cape to a close; has polished a mirror for TM.
On the variability of Alpha Hydrae and some other stars.