Reports on a meeting of the R.A.S., mostly talking about sun spots.
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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.
Reports on a meeting of the R.A.S., mostly talking about sun spots.
Regrets delay in replying. Explains the various editions of Sir William Herschel's works.
Has just received the first part of Johnston's General Atlas for which accept his very best thanks. It is a beautiful work. Has been working at cartography himself and produced a projection of 97-100ths of the whole surface of the globe in one chart. Comments on this.
Recommending J. D. Forbes as a suitable person for the appointment of Principal at the University of St. Andrews.
Asks for details of WL's system of speculum polishing and telescope construction as JH is preparing an article on telescopes for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Sends procedures for preparation of the report of the Magnetic Committee for the meeting of the B.A.A.S., which JH cannot attend due to illness; asks some questions about achromatic lens theory.
Thanks HL for the response to JH's queries [see JH's 1859-9-4].
Comments on WL's information on telescope construction, and adds some of JH's own experience.
Acknowledges the proof sheets of the new edition of the Physical Geography of the Sea. Will read them with the attention they deserve. Does not at present agree with the theories of MM.
Thanks for the fragment of poor [Ben?]. Comments on this and the composition of the metal of bells.
Sending details of his idea for a new projection of the sphere. If printed will need the maps re-engraved.
Comments on Robert Stephenson's theory regarding the presence of fossil plants in Arctic regions and on possible astronomical causes of such fossilization; gives some of his own theories.
Is much obliged for the gift of the new atlas. Has never seen an atlas so clearly and beautifully executed. Comments on various points. Wishes that the usual parallels of latitude and longitude had been included.
JH's only knowledge of Hollier trust fund was explained in earlier letters. Signs and returns annual report for trust fund.
Names three nephews of Charles Babbage and their financial status relative to Hollier fund, for which JH is trustee.
Unable to attend the most recent meeting of the Society of Arts, where the idea of having a fixed musical pitch was discussed. As a committee has been struck to study this, JH sends in his thoughts on the topic.
Responds to [?]'s 21 Oct. 1859 letter to John Phillips expressing Prince Albert's interest in the impact that proposed B.A.A.S. magnetic and meteorological observations will have on Treasury funds.
Willing to referee paper by J. D. Forbes. Just received [PK]'s biography of Thomas Henderson, whom JH wishes had remained longer at Cape of Good Hope.
Approves changes made by William Pole in his paper [see GS's 1859-4-21]; comments on appropriate presentation of JH's report on it.
On some changes to the report on paper by William Pole [see JH's 1859-4-24]. Describes some experiments carried out with colored 'prismatic' light.