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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.
Discusses JS's efforts to reform the Nautical Almanac, including JS's Practical Observations on the Nautical Almanac. States that in this 'awful crisis' JS has no hostile feelings toward its superintendent, Thomas Young.
Requests corrections on a paper JS was publishing with JH. Urges JS to use less excessive language.
Discusses various apparent errors JS has been detecting in observing double stars with two different telescopes. Assures JH that no serious problems exist.
Reports on various observations of double stars that JS has made. Asks JH to check some of JS's results.
Reports on efforts to make measurements regarding 39 Boötes. Accepts JH's invitation for JS and wife to visit JH at Slough.
Discusses observations he had made of various stars, especially a star in Capricorn that William Herschel believed to be a gravitational double. Has observed 61 Cygni.
Discusses a paper by [Edward] Troughton and work that JH and JS were preparing. Remarks on observations of 61 Cygni and of Sigma Cassiopeia.
Writing in confidence, informs JH of a conversation with Humphry Davy concerning the appointment of assistants for John Pond, Astronomer Royal. Situation complicated by Pond's precarious health and the widespread belief that JH would be the appropriate successor to Pond.
Responding to JS's letter of 1823-12-19, advises caution in countervening John Pond's preferences in the appointment of Royal Observatory assistants. Were the post of Astronomer Royal to become vacant, JH would be 'anything but disinclined to offer myself for it,' but will not make a 'premature declaration' of his willingness to accept it.
If JS has not already passed on to Humphry Davy JH's letter of 1823-12-21, JS should do so immediately. If post of Astronomer Royal should become vacant, JH would be interested in it, but would not wish to work with Stephen Lee, then under consideration for appointment as head assistant at Greenwich.
Wishes JS immediately and confidentially to pass on to Humphry Davy JH's letter of 1823-12-21, making clear that JH does not favor appointment of Stephen Lee as head assistant at the Royal Observatory. Has heard that JS has felt that JH slighted JS in JH's letter. Denies this.
Urges that JS not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on JS's relations with John Pond.
Writing to JH [then travelling in Europe], JS informs him that JS is moving to Paris. Comments on his plans for his observatory in Paris and on recent events in England regarding astronomers and instruments.
Feels he has pledged to the public to continue double star observation. Encourages JH to persevere as well. Offers JH use of his 5-foot refracting telescope. Asks about Fraunhofer telescopes.
Does not share JS's feeling of having pledged to continue double star observation. Reports on the high quality of the telescopes manufactured by Josef Fraunhofer.
Will be pleased to correct the proof copy of JS's paper on double stars. Mentions Charles Babbage and Edward Troughton.
Reports on his life in France and on details in the paper JS and JH were publishing on double stars.
Reports on some observations from JS's observatory near Paris and on his contacts with the Paris Observatory. Relays to JH a request from Alexander von Humboldt for barometric observations. Invites JH to visit.
Making, reducing, and publishing double star work is very difficult and, because of Wilhelm Struve's recent endeavors, less pressing than it had been. Mentions various doubles. Expresses interest in JS's plan to purchase a very large refractor.
Agrees to purchase JS's 7-foot refractor if no other reasonable offer made, but doubts he would use it extensively. Plans to concentrate on observing nebulae with JH's reflector at Slough. Relays regards and question for P. S. Laplace.