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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.
Sends photograph of a medal lately struck in Paris to commemorate the discovery of 100 asteroids, on which Hind appears.
His last note on the Julian period puzzled him. Has not taken many double star measurements, but will send on a few later. Has not finished the ecliptical charts yet. Regarding a planet more distant than Neptune.
Sinai expedition did not complete its work. Would like to send out Messrs. E. H. Palmer and C. F. T. Drake again. Can they continue to use JH's name as a trustee?
Takes it that the expense of the Sinai Expedition so far carried out has been met from the funds. Sees no objections to a continuation of the expedition.
Regarding Michel Chasles and the Isaac Newton-Blaise Pascal forgeries.
The Society will be happy to make JH's set of the Proceedings as complete as possible.
JH responds to UL's concern about the Isaac Newton-Blaise Pascal forgeries [see UL's 1869-10-4].
Explains cause of DS's double vision. Suggests corrective lenses [diagrams].
Thanks EQ for report of [Alexander von] Humboldt's centenary and the photographs from Henry Morton [see EQ's 1869-9-26]. Discusses neglect of James Grahame's work in England.
Has been translating into Latin 'your Dean's "Kentish Fire."' Has good Latin versions of [Oliver Goldsmith's] 'Edwin and Angelina' by Lord Stratford de Recliffe and of [Thomas] Gray's 'Elegy' by 'Chief Justice [Henry Thomas?] Cockburn.' Sends his 'Genevieve.'
Is working on a compilation of the measures of double stars. If [Rudolf] Wolf's period of 11.11 years is correct, why should 1810-11, a minimum, mark the first observations of solar spots?
Has autographs that display the activity of the sun. Sends sonnets he has written. Asks JH to mention distribution of nebulae at R.A.S.
Sends [William Whewell's] 'Isle of Sirens' and an acknowledgement to it in 'skimble skamble Hexameters.' Is eager to receive solar photographs and will send others by Professor [George?] Morton.
Describes his visit to Exeter. Hopes JH received a package sent the previous week. Asks question concerning lens making.
Comments on liquid and gaseous states of matter and on colloids; appreciates EB's kind words about JH's son Alexander.
Regarding Dr. Thomas Andrews's Bakerian lecture and the gaseous and liquid states. Comments on this and his previously stated theory. Has seen Alexander Herschel and thinks he should receive more credit for his work on the Meteor Committee. Scientific education of young people.
Continues to rail against the imposition of the metric system in India; argues against any change in the British sovereign coin.
Thanks for the gift of a sonnet; JH too much in figures to allow the muse to repay the gift.
Discusses an exposed case of forgery involving supposed manuscripts of Blaise Pascal and the mathematician Michel Chasles.
Regarding a mistake in his old address. Hopes U. J. J. Leverrier will arrive safely after all. Cold weather is bracing him up.