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.
Reports on and recommends for publication experiments in paper [see RSPT, 137 (1847), 253-] by [A. F. J.] Claudet on effect of solar radiation on silver plate's mercury deposit, but questions conclusion about triplicity of photographic action.
Asks RS to check the background of Samuel B. Lamb, who wants to lease JH's house at Slough.
Responds to JH's request [1847-6-28] that RS inquire about Samuel B. Lamb. Has visited [W. R.] Dawes and his telescope; thinks he will be productive. Lefevre [George Shaw-Lefevre?] has started for the university, adding 'what chance he has of success I can't guess.' On JH's contacts with Cambridge University.
Promises to send to JH copies of J. J. L. Lalande's Catalogue of Those Stars in the Histoire céleste française..., and of N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars in the Southern Hemisphere by week's end. WS has tried to connect Francis Baily with JL's Catalogue in a 'formal' manner.
Asks JH to compare the stars in Thomas Henderson's reductions to those in N. L. Lacaille's Coelum australe stelliferum.
Exultant that J. J. L. Lalande's Catalogue of Those Stars in the Histoire céleste française... and N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars in the Southern Hemisphere will be published tomorrow. Asks whether it would be appropriate for the B.A.A.S. to present copies of these two catalogs to J. C. Adams and to U. J. J. Leverrier; discusses other people who deserve copies. In printing and publishing the catalogs, they have spent all of the grant money.
Sends the revised financial report that records the final printing and publication costs of J. J. L. Lalande's Catalogue of Those Stars in the Histoire céleste française... and N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars in the Southern Hemisphere.
Now has in hand published copies of J. J. L. Lalande's Catalogue of Those Stars in the Histoire céleste française... and N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars in the Southern Hemisphere.
Provides the measurements for Beta Aquarius and Alpha 2 Capricorni [see JH's 1847-5-23].
Regarding the final payments for the Liverpool Telescope.
Regarding the physical features of the moon.
How to evade attending the Queen's ball. Thanks for information on the moon.
Is still working on the obituary of F. W. Bessel; JH will not be at the R.A.S. anniversary dinner; comments on the usage of various fixed points for producing standard thermometers.
Does JH think it worthwhile to extend his atmospheric wave investigation? Will be at the B.A.A.S. meeting at Oxford.
Regarding his observations of the heavens and its relation to theological matters.
Surprised that JB sees theological doctrines in JH's astronomical observations.
Thanking him for his letter in answer to hers on theological doctrine and its relation to JH's observations.
Offers his rooms to JH when he attends the B.A.A.S. meeting.
Has no one else to offer his rooms so they are at JH's disposal. Has notified Mr. Hill that JH will be requiring them.
Does he know anything about E. J. Lowe's book [Treatise on Atmospheric Phenomena, 1846] on atmospheric phenomena? Looks good but cannot trust his own judgement. Could not dine with him as he had another appointment.