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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 stellar observations made by TM and reports JH's observations on sunspots. Notes error in [J. E.] Bode's celestial map.
Gives a list of the close Polar stars. Started last night to observe the stars on JH's list but was put off by JH's right ascensions. Will observe each star again this night. John Fairbairn cannot divest himself of the apprehension of danger to Andries Stockenström.
Encloses a plan of the triangulation and comments on his method. Thinks of making the baseline on the parade a permanent standard and has written to the Governor to obtain permission, as there is friction between the Board of Ordnance and the Cape Authorities over the ownership of the Parade. Has had no reply from the Governor as yet.
The zenith sector was brought by the Wellesley and is now at the Observatory. Outlines some observations he hopes to make with it. Is about to write to R. Thom[p]son. Has some important matters to discuss with JH when he calls.
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.
Will send observations to JH. Granite column will be constructed at Feldhausen as a memorial [to JH]; will forward plans.
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.
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.
Suggests a means of resolving TM's problem with the mural circle.
The mica will do beautifully. Sorry to hear of the return of JH's complaint. Will send barometric observations tomorrow.