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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.
On Nov. 4 observed a red star, which does not appear in any of the recent maps or charts. Gives readings. JH may be able to throw some light on it.
Was agreeably surprised by the communication in Lady Herschel's letter; did not expect any pension. Outlines his ideas for careers for some members of his own family. India and the Services seem the best propositions. Does not expect much from the observations of Venus in Chile unless the definition is good.
Sends JH some publications, including one that tends to show that cyclones are electrical phenomena.
[Cambridge University] Commission will continue its sittings for whole week.
Bishop of Chester [John Graham] has called meeting of Cambridge University Commissioners for 19 Nov.
Congratulates JH for appointment as next Master of Mint. WB at Mint for 25 years. Offers any assistance JH may need.
Directions for entering into JH's position as Master of Mint will be sent to JH from Treasury. George Maule approved JH's method for posting security bond. Committee has recommended abolishing official fees, but this has not yet been done.
Congratulations on JH's appointment to Mastership of Mint. Still wishes JH had been president of R.S.L.
Sends sketches of nebulae. It is time to do something about Toronto magnetic observatory. Should it be continued?
Annual salary of Master of Mint was reduced to £1000 upon R. L. Sheil's resignation, and office was declared non-political. Proposes to submit JH's name to Queen as next master.
Glad that JH accepted Mastership of Mint. Will provide annual housing allowance of £500. George Grey will take steps necessary to put JH into office.
Will contact JH when RS returns to London.
Chancellor of Exchequer [Charles Wood] will see JH at noon tomorrow.
Encloses copies of papers from R. L. Sheil. Originals will be sent later.
Encloses note from [W. P.] Wilson explaining need for astronomical instruments for instructing advanced students at Belfast. Asks JH's advice. Congratulations on JH's appointment to Mastership of Mint. [JH annotation: Suggests appropriate instruments.]
Received series of actinometer observations from [Joseph] Dayman aboard Rattlesnake. JH's trip to Continent. Completion of Francis Ronalds's magnetographs. Improved access to Kew Observatory by railway. Next committee meeting. Bakerian lecture by Michael Faraday.
Congratulates JH on appointment to Mastership of Mint. Hopes JH, as member of Cambridge University Commission, will introduce needed reforms.
JH's security as Master of Mint may be met with deposit of £10,000 of stock plus personal bond of £10,000, or with £20,000 of stock.
Asks JH to call on CW tomorrow.
Was pleased by JH's favorable opinion of his paper on the Vivarais. Finds JH's arguments concerning [John] Michell's theory of probabilities unconvincing. Will soon write a paper on the problems.