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.
Recommends awarding Royal Medal to [William Parsons] Lord Oxmantown for paper on large reflecting telescopes.
Reliability of measuring instruments used in scientific and public surveys. Approves George Peacock's suggestion to revise survey tables for use by non-scientist surveyors. Schools should teach only legalized systems of weights, measures, and money.
JH is captivated by science of photography. Has blundered onto 'Calotype leaving out [W. H. F.] Talbot's principal ingredient!!' [Note added by daughter Isabella Herschel:] Papa is in hurry. Greetings to family.
Replies to [?]'s questions about 'Mr. Bethune's suggestions' concerning terminology to be used for standards of weight and measure. Agrees with G. B. Airy that term 'land' should be used with 'land chain' unit.
Announces his invention of the 'calotype', and his application for a patent. Questions JH on his address to R.A.S., objecting to idea that universe is infinite.
Preparing his calotype paper for publication. Looking for a summer house, somewhere interesting to photograph.
Reports receipt of a communication, which argues that all elements are merely isomers of one substance. Expresses support for such a view.
Some details of improvements in the calotype method.
Sends JH sample of chemicals and paper to make calotype himself.
Has read WT's paper before the R.S.L. and now complains they will not print it in the R.S.P.T. as they understand it has appeared elsewhere.
Reports on paper by Samuel Brown to the Royal Society of Edinburgh on the conversion of carbon to silicon, and other transmutations. Reports on discovery of new element, ozone, and complains further about R.S.L. Council.
Expresses reservations about Samuel Brown's work. Apologizes for delay in trying calotype; has done only some vegetable substance trials.
Agrees to meet JH and Edward Sabine on Saturday. Kew Observatory was given to R.S.L., but R.S.L. has not yet taken possession of it. [JH annotation: election of General Morrison to R.S.L.]
Magnetic observatory is still not operational one year after FW's arrival. Thomas Maclear is now in 'Zwartsland' [Zwartkops?]. FW shares quarters with C. P. Smyth and William Mann. Hopes to begin observations next week at Cape Town and Simon's Bay; G. G. Lewis will make observations at Grahamstown. Problems with meteorological instruments. Proposes magnetic survey of entire colony. [JH annotation: Enquire what FW meant about measurement conversions, malfunctioning needle, and broken tube in 19 Feb. 1841 letter to Humphrey Lloyd.]
M. F. B. Dausse visited FW several times to study instruments and copy meteorological observations. Dausse urged FW to share these with D. F. J. Arago, who is concerned at delay in publishing survey results. Please notify R.S.L. that Arago's official request will arrive soon. Encloses copy of FW's 15 Apr. 1841 letter to Arago. New rain gauge. Problems with anemometer and dipping needle. Will visit Cape Agulhas with Thomas Maclear to make magnetic observations.
Grateful for kind reception that JH gave to GM's son, who attended Exhibition to demonstrate GM's telescopes.
Asks whether JH will be prepared to present the committee report on N. L. Lacaille's stars at the B.A.A.S. meeting on 29 July.
Asks whether JH will be prepared to give the committee report on systems of simultaneous magnetical and meteorological observations at the B.A.A.S. meeting on 29 July.
JH, G. B. Airy, and Thomas Henderson are appointed to oversee the publication of the reductions of the calculations of N. L. Lacaille's stars. They will have £105 at their disposal.
JH, William Whewell, George Peacock, Humphrey Lloyd, and Edward Sabine are appointed by the B.A.A.S. to study systems of simultaneous magnetical and meteorological observations. They will be granted £100.