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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.
Asks JL to take on the preparations for the magnetic observations, including the instructing of ships' personnel.
About times at which magnetic observations should be made at each observation station.
In response to KK's 1839-10-22, JH sends information on [A. F.] Osler's anemometer, and on magnetic measurements to be carried out.
Passes on the suggestion, from G. B. Airy, of the use of copper rings for damping the movements of measuring instruments in measuring terrestrial magnetism.
Has just done photographic experiments using bromine paper, and is very pleased with them. JH notes in a postscript that he had just received a letter from W. H. Fox Talbot stating that Fox Talbot had just discovered bromine paper as well.
Presents suggestions for improving and extending Land Station observatories. Will study parallax of Alpha1 and Alpha2 Centauri. Government will survey the colony. Quarantine due to measles outbreak. Boers hostile.
JH's letter of 9 Feb. has left him in high spirits. Is also pleased TM's paper was communicated to the R.S.L. Will make arrangements to collect parts of the meteorite and send the 4 lb. part to JH. G. B. Airy consents that Greenwich Mural Circle be sent to Cape Observatory. Will request more engineering personnel for Colonial Survey.
Mr. Zahn and John Truter in search of more meteorite specimens. Truter obtains a specimen near site of impact.
Sends another meteorite specimen. Mr. Zahn sends group to Bokkerveld to seek more specimens. John Truter describes specimens in possession.
Encloses letters concerning [William] Reid's Laws of Storms. Discusses problems obtaining money for Meteorology Society from government. Reports mural circle working well. Receives another meteorite specimen.
J. M. Craig requests TM to send meteorite to British Museum. TM asks JH to transfer the specimen sent earlier to the Museum.
William Mann arrives with compensation bars. Receives six men for transportation of equipment to Land Observatories. Military possession of Natal ends. Foundation laid for college at Government Gardens.
Is working towards having the government hire the school masters [see GN's 1839-9-30] that GN asked JH to find. JH has also spoken to Lord John Russell about Andries Stockenstrom's plight. [Letter finally completed on 1840-2-11.]
Has heard from G. B. Airy that T. F. Colby has written to Ireland for the compensation bars. An additional assistant has been designated but no appointment made yet. Received a letter from their good friend but does not feel justified in bringing it to the notice of a minister. Admiralty has borrowed Fuller's theodolite (from R.A.S.) and the mural circle should soon arrive. Gives Michael Faraday's analysis of the meteorolite.
Informs JH that the B.A.A.S. has again placed him on a committee to translate and publish foreign scientific memoirs.
Is working on a memoir concerning animal electricity. Would like to present it to the R.S.L. and wonders if it would qualify for a prize.
Has a few pounds surplus from the subscription for JH's vase and wonders if it could be used to supply a plinth for the pedestal. Does JH agree? Perhaps Lady Herschel can supply the wording.
The Bishop of London favors the idea of JH becoming Savilian Professor of Astronomy. What are JH's views on the subject? William Buckland would rejoice.
JH's letter settles the case of the Savilian chair. Gives news of suitable houses for the Herschels that are likely to come up for sale.
The Times has published an attack on the B.A.A.S. and stated that JH has left the B.A.A.S. Would JH write to the Times to contradict this statement. RM is to continue as General Secretary for a further year. [Note from Herschel to see Times of yesterday (3-3-39).]