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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.
Declines to get involved in political or judicial disagreements. JH donated to fund for John Fairbairn solely on grounds of benefits rendered to Cape Colony by Fairbairn's newspaper.
Prefers that JH's name not appear on HR's list of subscribers in support of John Fairbairn. Gives reasons. Suggests appropriate wording for HR's public statement of support for Fairbairn.
JS's serious illness, recovery, and return to England. JH dismisses hope of devising phonetic alphabet for Chinese. Poem by Michelangelo. Notes on classic literature.
Concern for JS's trip to South America. Plans for JH's return to England and visit to Hanover. Asks JS to seek new residence for JH and family. [Note from Margaret Herschel on criteria for new house.]
About plant seeds sent by JH from the Cape, WT having sent him some Mexican seeds in return. Halley's Comet only clearly seen on two nights.
Ideas expressed by JH in his previous letter to CL (see JH's 1836-2-20) about secular variations of isothermal surfaces of the interior of the earth were similar to ideas expressed by Charles Babbage in a paper to the Geological Society. This was drawn to JH's attention by CL and by R. I. Murchison. JH argues that he did not know of Charles Babbage's paper, and goes on to point out how JH's ideas differ. Concludes with mention of having re-discovered the sixth satellite of Saturn, not seen since its discovery by JH's father, William.
Is trying to expedite the shipping back to England of part of the zoological collection of Andrew Smith.
Comments on a mining prospectus and on copper ore JH analyzed.
Has communicated information from JH about JH's aunt Caroline to Mary Baldwin. Mary Baldwin has decided to go to visit Caroline Herschel.
Tells JH about artifact exhibition AS has set up, and about preparation for publication of some astronomical observations.
More about lack of success of exhibition, and about publication of observations [see AS's 1837-8-27].
Comments on the shooting death in 1835 of Hintsa, leader of the Xhosa people. JH believes that no wrongdoing occurred.
Thanks for kind thoughts JH sent, after a difficult time about the Kaffir wars.
Comments on HS's dealings with native tribal groups and returns a volume of related material.
Note accompanying copy of dispatch relating to Kaffir wars.
Sends WH some plant specimens, and will send on any unique plants. JH has been asked for a description of the 'botanical climate' of the Cape, and asks WH's assistance with this.
A note to accompany some more plant specimens for WH to identify.
Encloses list of subscriptions raised to offset debt incurred by John Fairbairn [Editor of Commercial Advertiser] in law actions brought by [John?] Chase. Desires JH's support.
Has JH's letter and check. Wants to avoid improper use of JH's name. Sent list of first names and contributions to John Fairbairn. List will be returned to JR and then sent to JH.
Wants JH's opinion of what to do with the subscription list. Will wait to proceed until he has an answer.