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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.
Chemical news: decomposition of 'sulphuret of carbon' by J. J. Berzelius and Alexander Marcet. Analysis of 'azotane' and discovery of 'iode' by Humphry Davy. Congratulations on results of CB's examination.
Feigned reproach for CB's return to 'the Analytics.' Inquires about CB's 'Devonshire Ghost at Chudleigh.' Results of JH's chemistry experiments. Derides scientists who promote theory of 'akasch' as the one and only form of matter. Met Alexander Marcet in Greenwich.
Gratitude for CB's friendship. Chemical supplies and instruments. Describes synthesis of 'Sulphurane' [S2Cl2] and other experiments. Theories of combustion and acids. [Letter continued on 1813-9-21:] JH avidly studying law, against father's wishes.
CB has founded 'a calculus totally new and immensely powerful.'
Working in law office of [F. W.?] Sanders. Attended R.S.L. last night. T. W. Hornbuckle offered JH position as subtutor at St. John's College, but JH declined. Describes paper on minerals that JH submitted through E. D. Clarke to Geological Society. Charles Babbage just made creative mathematical discovery.
Finds no experimental evidence connecting index of capillary action to index of refraction.
Congratulates JH on the formation of the [Analytical] Society, which will let Britain 'take the lead' in mathematics. Discusses analysis of a radical.
Describes an oil lamp that makes efficient use of all the oil placed in it.
Obliquely, wishes luck and offers advice on exams. Asks for news of Cambridge scandals. Is entering law school. Encloses mathematical formula for which they had earlier searched.
Has had the bill for the printing of their memoir. Ways of raising money to pay for the printing. Comments on one of CB's equations. Will be entering Lincoln's Inn in a week's time.
Regarding the proposed method of raising funds to pay for printing of the memoir. Justifies his equation queried by JH. Would he purchase certain chemicals for him.
Is sending chemicals. Regarding Humphry Davy's experiments with azotane. Davy's paper on iodine.
Will be in town and requests addresses of shops where certain experimental apparatus can be purchased. Send [H. E.?] Roscoe's direction.
Has been working on analysis. Gives equations he has solved. Has met a mineralogist.
Their 'Analytical' has not been reviewed in the Edinburgh Review. Has married. Looking out for a situation. Gives an equation dealing with relative functions.
Comments on the equation sent by CB. Has been experimenting with potassium.
Sends equations in operational calculus.
Regarding CB's marriage. Possibility of a suitable situation for him.
Temper and stinginess of CB's father. Seeking job in mining through Mr. Champernowne, local mineralogist. Describes CB's elopement, marriage by former tutor, and new residence. Considered career in Church when CB had prospect of inheriting fortune from CB's father, but that is no longer possible. Gives an equation for discussion.
Praising CB's functional equations. How to become an F.R.S. Conditions at Slough. Hears that he is coming to live in London.