Provides FB, Chairman of the Greenwich Visitation Committee, with detailed recommendations for the preparation of catalogues coming out of the Greenwich observations.
Showing 1–20 of 26 items
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.
Provides FB, Chairman of the Greenwich Visitation Committee, with detailed recommendations for the preparation of catalogues coming out of the Greenwich observations.
Would prefer not to write a popular account of William Herschel and his work which DL has requested; JH has always intended to produce a major volume on the life and work of his father.
More on the observations and publication of results of the Greenwich Observatory [see JH's 1831-2-10].
Is writing to inquire about the copyright status of some earlier writings for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana; JH is considering collecting some of these early writings, together with others, for a separate publication.
JH writes to excuse himself from a meeting the following day at which Charles Babbage's calculating engine will be discussed.
Requests the return of his manuscript paper on double stars so that he may prepare his presentation to the next meeting of the Astronomical Society.
Of the health of JH's brother-in-law, John Stewart, and the publication of JH's Prelim. Discourse [letter completed 1831-2-8].
Comments on proposed heat experiments of [James] Hall.
Regarding the affair of Charles Babbage and William Fitton's pamphlet. Would like JH to dine with him and William Whewell to discuss various matters. JH's book is popular at Cambridge.
Praises and comments on RJ's book on economics [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Laments overly strong language used by William Fitton and Charles Babbage in criticizing R.S.L. Comments on JH having lost the election for R.S.L. presidency.
Would not write anything to make JH change his mind over the proposed biography of Sir William Herschel. Thinks there is room for a popular and more serious study of Sir William. Has received good reports of JH's Discourse. Has not had a chance of seeing William Whewell yet.
Expressing appreciation of JH's book on philosophy.
Describes JL's self education in grinding compound lenses and devising trials for testing these for spectacles.
Has received a copy of JH's paper on double stars, but is confined to bed by a severe attack of rheumatism, so is not sure when he can finish the corrections.
Sending more ale. Abandoning AR's theory of comets coming from solar volcanoes, although he thinks it is somewhat consistent with observed phenomena of solar spots.
Wants to use method of indeterminate coefficients to integrate the differential equations of the planets' perturbations. [Originally written to W. Fairfax.]
Is sending Volume 10 of the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Has just found out that the government has approached the R.S.L. as to the usefulness and chances of success of his machine. Hopes that if JH is appointed he will not become involved in the committees of the R.S.L. Has been deciphering a cipher.
Has noted his remarks about attending the committees of the R.S.L. Received one to discuss the engine, but was unable to attend as he had other arrangements. Views on present attitude of the R.S.L. Council to the machine. Intends to revise and enlarge his books Light and Sound.
Has recently sent him a book and letter and wonders if he has received it. Congratulations on his recent honors. If he has the book perhaps he would look at certain passages.