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.
Permission granted for issue of £50,000. Please return CT's note to JH instructing that only new coins be sent to Colonies.
Has not received reply from Anthony de Rothschild. Foresees great demand soon for gold and silver. Gives W. T. Brande's estimate of maximum possible output by Mint.
Suggestions how to prepare for increasing public demand for silver. Mint workers began working 12-hour days on Monday.
Please return JH's letter of 20 Nov. Wants to correct error regarding men employed by G. F. G. Mathison.
'Not official.' Submits 'electrotype cast' of Waterloo Medal for AW's inspection.
CH's news that Mrs. Jones is with Margaret Herschel relieves JH's anxiety. Questions treatment of Mr. Wolf's horse.
Louisa's studies and her tutors. Wedding in which Louisa will take part. Activities and studies of daughters Caroline and Isabella in London. Lists book and papers to be sent to JH and MBH in London.
Recalls ghost story told by Louisa. Answers question about primate hands. Recommends study of mathematics in order to understand art. Regards to [Mary C.] Lipscombe.
Thanks for portrait of Louisa. Plans series of pictures of all JH's children. Margaret Brodie Herschel moved her mother [Mrs. Stewart] into new lodgings, but is now ill again. JH and London household are quarantined. No one may enter or leave. John Herschel [son of JH] is also ill, but under Mrs. Pritchard's care [at Clapham Grammar School]. Lists books and papers to be sent to JH.
Will try to get away tomorrow in time to join Gordons for trip to Collingwood [for Christmas]. Request from MH's milliner. Happy that MH patched things over with Stevensons. MH's letter to Mrs. Maclear was returned.
Encloses note from W. H. B. Hamilton. Request for extension of leave for J. F. L. P. Maclear should go to captain of Meander, but JH does not know where it is, so JH wrote to captain of Victory. If Maclear receives no word by tomorrow, tell him to report to commanding officer to whom he thinks he is assigned. Problems arranging instructions in assaying for Mr. Wooley. JH and assay master H. W. Field are not on good terms. More likely that Thomas Graham and [W. A.] Miller will permit a visitor, but neither has time to train apprentices.
Consoles MH on 'horrid affair.' Thankful that consequences were not worse. Arranging transportation for son William to Paris. Dinner with [Margaret Seymour,] Duchess of Somerset. Encloses letter from Richard Sheepshanks. Honored by Society of Arts request to include [JH's] photography in display to be shown to Prince Albert.
Hopes daughter Maria is better. Arrangements for Ball. Family finances: lists income and expenses at Collingwood and London residence. Describes carriage JH wants to buy. Ugly accident at [wedding?]; warns MH to avoid borrowing carriages. Anticipating six months of intense work following departure of H. D. Harness, after which JH intends to resign from Mint. Describes life as 'unendurable.' Misses children.
Daughters Caroline and Isabella left London yesterday. J. M. Cameron will pick up Julia today. JH stays late at Mint each night, leaving 'Miss R' [Rennie?] at home alone. Mr. Bulstrode agreed to let JH rent residence from month to month.
H. D. Harness leaves Mint today, but may return later if assignment to colonies is delayed. JH cannot go to park with daughters today. Completed report on Irish coinage. Duties regarding Cambridge University Committee.
Analogy between MH's love and action of light. All is ready for MH's arrival next week. Daughter Julia will spend month with J. M. Cameron. Miss Beaumont reports that JH's son John is recovering well from illness [at Clapham Grammar School?]. Cannot come to Collingwood Saturday; must work at 'Mammonium' [Mint]. Bring photography by JH for Mr. Hilhouse.
Sons John and Alexander visited JH yesterday. Forwards son William's letter describing voyage. News from Cape of Good Hope about [Eighth Frontier War]. Silver panic at Bank of England. Trouble dislodging 'remoras' (old officers) who retard changes at Mint.
Draws attention to expenses for WH's education at Haileybury College. Urges use of regular system of accounts. JH sent request for extension of J. F. L. P. Maclear's leave from ship Castor. Assumes that W. H. B. Hamilton is still secretary to Admiralty. Hopes WH, Maclear, and [William] Waterfield will avoid mischief. How is WH's 'broken back'?
Major fire in Refinery last night. Forwarded letter from Miss Meyer to MH. Used Mr. Love's help for unpleasant task. Glad that J. F. L. P. Maclear enjoys his naval profession. How is son William's back?
Describes ship Earl of Aberdeen and son William's departure [for Scotland]. JH got lost returning from London Docks; describes squalid neighborhoods. Visited Elizabeth Baily, who is ill, and Mrs. Stewart, who is composed and well. J. C. Stewart and Rose Stewart are both ill. University Commission is finishing its report. Attitude toward dissenters is more liberal that JH expected. MH's concertina lessons with Mrs. Jones.