RS, Vice President of R.A.S., writes to JH, President, about a series of Council and membership matters.
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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.
RS, Vice President of R.A.S., writes to JH, President, about a series of Council and membership matters.
JH replies to RS's 1849-1-15.
Says he will guardedly write in his Outlines Astr. what he has to say about Neptune and the controversy surrounding its discovery. States that he eschews formulae.
Shall send a catalogue of double stars observed by [W. S.] Jacob. Gives some information about several measurements to establish standards.
About an astronomer for the Madras observatory. Suggests ways to reduce glare and so improve measurements [see RS's 1849-3-4].
Suggests some means of improving a paper submitted by JH; more on standard measures of length [see RS's 1849-3-4], and other R.A.S. business.
Appreciates additional time made available by RS to allow JH to finish paper properly.
Note to present JH with a copy of AS's latest work.
Must consider and enquire before replying to JH's letter of yesterday. Sends volumes of the 'tables of revenue' for 1846 and 1847 to JH, plus a supplement relating to foreign countries. If this is not enough, let GP know.
Returns the proofs of [W. J.] Hamilton's paper, and hopes to send his contribution to the Admiralty Manual soon.
Thanks JH for subscription to the Astronomical Club. Discusses JH's objection to use of symbols in works on navigation. Notes that symbols are becoming more common. Requests advice.
Appreciates JH's praise of his meteorological work. Describes curious waterspouts in the sea and their boiling appearance.
Has heard nothing beyond what GA has said [see GA's 1849-9-25], but agrees with GA's assessment of the situation.
Discusses B.A.A.S. resolution regarding the Cape observatory. Wants accurate drawings of nebulae to attempt to ascertain change. Wants JH to petition government to get reflector at Cape.
Will not urge government to construct a great reflector at the Cape; believes it should be done through private funding; does look forward to the time when his work on southern skies will be reexamined. [See TR's 1849-10-21.]
Did not wish JH to join application to government [see TR's 1849-10-21 & JH's 1849-10-27]. Committee hoped JH would help carry plan out if funding were secured. Doubts private funding will be given.
Grateful for JH's help in making a successful claim upon Her Majesty's Government.
Will gather information JH requested. It may be difficult to change the Indian appointment to Bengal of JH's son [William].
Discusses letter to [G. B.] Airy and JH's response to it. Discusses instruments at Toronto Observatory. Describes 18 November 1841 magnetic disturbances. Working on Atlantic declination maps.
Edward Sabine will recover. Please tell JH how grateful ES is for JH's positive remarks regarding his report. Discusses several scientific matters. Contains message from ES for JH on instrumentation at Kew Observatory.