Of health, family news, and the reception of JG's latest book [letter completed 1836-2-17].
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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.
Of health, family news, and the reception of JG's latest book [letter completed 1836-2-17].
News of family and friends.
Encloses a queer pamphlet, which may amuse him, but it has put D. F. J. Arago and others into a towering passion. The public tends to forget one's existence if too long away from London, so hopes that JH will bear this in mind.
Has been busy correcting proofs of a little book to be printed by Cadell in Edinburgh which has occasioned the delay. Observed the eclipse at the Observatory with D. F. J. Arago. Comments on the work of Arago. French science and literature at a low ebb.
Enclosing some letters of introduction for Rio. Advises him to be there in the winter. Makes a duplicate set of his observations in case the ship sinks.
Outlines the election of J. D. Forbes and attributes his success to JH's letter. Regarding the work of Thomas Henderson. Pity JH has to waste time doing his own reductions. Paris observations. Saw the comet in Valparaiso. Magnitude of stars compared to the moon. Hopes he liked his own recent book. Pleased the sextant is of use.
Since his arrival he has explored the suburbs and found some pretty parts. Thinks it would appeal to JH. Houses are rather expensive but could find one to his liking. Will inquire about the landing of his instruments.
Pleased to hear that all is progressing well with JH. Regrets the discordance in the Parramatta Right Ascensions. Observed an occultation of Gamma Virginis in April. Has seen the method of determining the nadir point of a circle. Cape reductions suffered a setback last season as he had to lecture on mathematics.
Is pleased JH takes an interest in the natives. Comments on the necessity of promoting the welfare of the native races. Hopes to found an International Society for providing assistance and advice to foreigners.
Has just received JH's two letters of 5 and 25 Dec. Will prepare duplicates of his letters and pendulum observations and send them to Francis Beaufort. Has still heard nothing about the Observatory.
Sends the meteorological observations for March; unable to send any magnetic observations as he has been unwell. The Observatory escaped serious damage during the hurricane. Has been observing the disappearance of the comet. Comments on nebulae seen near its tail.
Sends meteorological observations for September. Has ceased making a charge at the observatory for the checking of chronometers. Has lost income but gained work. Comments on the effects of gravity on the balance wheel of a chronometer.
Forwarding meteorological and magnetic observations for Sept. and Dec. 1835. Has had no letter from the Governor, but is given to understand he may spend £100 towards the erection of a tide gauge. Have had two violent floods.
Dr. Andrew Smith arrived yesterday in the Bay and landed in the evening; has not seen Smith himself yet.
Just arrived home from the meeting (which was convened to arrange landing of articles from the Expedition) and found JH's note. Is unable to return to England yet for various reasons. Sure Capt. Frederick Warren will be pleased to take any message to England for JH.
Charles Lyell wrote letter to JH recently. Now encloses with it letters of introduction to persons in Rio and abstract of paper by Charles Babbage. [Henry] Brougham's attacks on Thomas Young.
Preparing fifth edition of Principles of Geology, using JH's facts about boiling seeds. Mathematical error in CL's climate theory. CL's first speech as president of Geological Society. Criticizes R.S.L. JH's volcanic theory was too complex; will incorporate it into later editions. Benefits to science of Charles Babbage's social parties. Latest publications in geology. P.S. Glad to learn that JH thinks origin of new species may occur through intermediate causes; Germans criticized this. CL chooses not to engage in controversies. Speculates on successive extinction of species. Notes on African hot springs.
JH has no need to apologize for bringing before him the case of Dr. Andrew Smith. Heard the news from Dr. John Murray. Will press Smith's request in the appropriate quarter. JH should address his request to Benjamin D'Urban.
Many thanks for the seeds. Will record in the minutes the source of the plants. Breakfast will await JH's arrival. Has been comet hunting every morning to no purpose.
As the error of the African chronometer is only 0m 1.1s fast on Cape mean time, he sends it. James Adamson is with TM or TM would avail himself of JH's invitation. The comet was superb last night. A most interesting phenomenon last night was the motion of the comet's nucleus over a small star.