Showing 61–80 of 89 items
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.
Regarding JH's actinometers, intends to compare their results when in Switzerland and would be pleased if JH has any determinations on them. Outlines the plan of his experiments. Thinks JH should publish an account of them before JF publishes the results of his experiments. Met L. A. J. Quetelet in Brussels. Intends visiting the Pyrenees.
Has postponed answering his letter until he has some worthwhile results to transmit. Local savants are unwilling to take much trouble but has met a German meteorologist, L. F. Kämtz, and together they have carried out observations on some of the mountains. Encloses some of the actinometer readings. Has 80 series of magnetic observations.
Returned suddenly from the continent and found JH's letter to his brother awaiting him. Outlines his reason for applying for the vacant post at the University and would welcome a testimonial from JH. Brewster is his chief rival. Gives a few observations on his recent trip to the continent.
Is sorry to trouble him again but would like a letter from JH that he can print with his testimonials, as David Brewster has now printed JH's letter, also [William?] Ritchie. Awaits the results before setting out for Europe.
Sending a copy of his testimonials and one of his reports on meteorology. Was elected to the chair of Natural Philosophy by a majority of 21 to 9. His cousin Leslie Melville hopes to be able to provide JH with letters before JH's departure for the Cape.
Thanks for his last letter. Assures him he has no bitter feelings over the spirit of David Brewster after his disappointment of the election. May make any use he wishes of his actinometer results. Intends going over to France in a month's time, but is very busy at the present time.
Has acquired a 7-ft. Newtonian telescope of William Herschel made in 1802. Is well preserved but the speculum appears to be tarnished. Would like to bring it to London to obtain JH's advice on its shortcomings. Is going to France to collect the actinometers and the results of L. F. Kämtz.
Sending the speculum to Slough in order that JH may examine it. Departs for Paris tomorrow. Hopes to see him at the Cambridge meeting.
Sending a proof of a paper he is now having printed. Wishes him all the best for his forthcoming expedition.
Has just come from Scotland on his way to the continent for two or three months. Pleased to hear JH's work is making good progress. Does he know that David Brewster made observations for two days of the year? Has sent him his paper on polarization. Has been occupied by the preparation of his paper on optics. Hopes to reduce his observations made on the continent in 1832. Would like T. C. Robinson, the instrument maker, to see JH's instructions.
Encloses the second part of his paper on heat. Has procured some meteorological readings from Malta. Trusts everything is proceeding well at the Cape. Met G. B. Airy recently at Greenwich, where C. F. Gauss's apparatus is now installed. Mr. Gaubert is dead, also A. M. Ampère and G. C. F. M. R. De Prony.
Encloses observations made by some of his pupils who have now formed a physico-mathematical society.
Sending a letter via Capt. Basil Hall. Is surprised JH did not mention the starry showers of 12 Nov. in his last letter, D. F. J. Arago is investigating them. J. B. Biot has published an extension of [Denison?] Olmsted's theory. Humphrey Lloyd has produced an interesting book on the undulatory theory. What measure does JH employ for the force of the wind? Has got William Whewell's anemometer. Influenza prevalent. William Farish has been succeeded by Robert Willis.
Regrets that JH had to write another letter regarding the two papers he forwarded. Missed him when in London. Saw L. J. M. Daguerre's specimen and also those of J. N. Niepce, the latter undoubtedly the originator. Has made an excursion to the volcanic region of the South of France.
Sending a notice about the polarization of the sky. Also some practical papers he set at Durham. Has the obelisk ready for shipment to the Cape. Has asked Richard Taylor to send him a copy of his report on Meteorology.
Would like to know the composition of the fluid in JH's actinometers.
Would like to see him for a few minutes to discuss a paper he is preparing for the R.S.L. on actinometer observations.
No meeting of the R.S.L. on the 19th but could arrange to see him before dinner. Hopes to spend the summer amongst the glaciers.
Protesting about the refusal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh to publish Thomas Brisbane's magnetic observations; hopes it will be reconsidered. Thinks JF's theory on glaciers has good points, but comments on some of its shortcomings.
Is grateful for his letter and photographs. Will send him his paper on glaciers, which he is pleased to see interests him. Thomas Brisbane must be in error about the refusal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh to print his magnetic observations.