JH is preparing to bring his observations at the Cape to a close; has polished a mirror for TM.
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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.
JH is preparing to bring his observations at the Cape to a close; has polished a mirror for TM.
On the variability of Alpha Hydrae and some other stars.
Urges against carrying up Table Mountain the zenith sector sent to TM to check N. L. Lacaille's measurement of a degree of terrestrial longitude. Comments on JH's skill with precision instruments.
Final arrangements before JH and family depart for England.
Asks TM to set JH's chronometer and barometer.
Describes observations made while aboard the Windsor Castle. Mentions stopover at St. Helena.
Lord Normanby stalling education system program. Government recognizes Land Observatories. Writes letter to Admiralty requesting TM's assistant remain at Royal Observatory.
Arrived in England on 19 May after a nine week voyage. Made suggestions to Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliott] concerning Cape Observatory, including Magnetic Observatory, mural circle repair, and the addition of a theodolite telescope.
Received meteorite specimen. Michael Faraday will conduct analysis. Admiralty agrees to give TM an assistant. Finds a theodolite telescope for Cape Observatory.
C. P. Smyth will deliver the micrometer series JH lent him for examining the values of the transit level scale; comments on this. Had another peep at the stars JH mentioned and still finds Argus larger than Rigel. The tent fills Mrs. De Witt's yard. She is a friend and correspondent of Charles Grant (Baron Glenelg).
The zenith sector seems to perform very well, and he is now ready to move it to the stations. Has been troubled with cloudy weather. C. P. Smyth is working the mural circle on the stars. Thomas Jones has not prepared the diagonal scale promised by Francis Baily. Has not been well lately. No news from England except that Admiral George Elliott has permission from the Admiralty to settle the land question. Encloses a catalogue of Zenith stars.
Will not be time to take the zenith sector to Klypfonteyn before JH's departure. Must finish work with the pendulum as it has to be returned to Francis Baily via JH. Will ride over on Sunday morning.
Sends report on [N. L.] Lacaille's Observatory Stations. Tells of expeditions to Klipfontein. Lack of observing due to absence at Cape. Mural circle must be corrected or replaced. Needs an equatorial telescope. Agrees theodolite telescope would be useful.
Mr. Borcherd's son, who is contemplating work in the educational field in South Africa, would like to call on JH to obtain his advice. Question of the land about the Observatory has been settled. Has had a copy of G. B. Amici's paper on a prismatic reflecting circle; comments on this.
Intended calling on JH today but legs and feet were too swollen. Has postponed his journey to Klypfonteyn until the first week in March, to make some alterations to the instrument. Is glad JH will visit the mountains with him. Believes the Thalia is about to sail soon. Formalhoet is now useless at noon.
Thanks for information in his letter. Agrees with JH about the variability of Hydra. Argus is returning to its original brightness. The zenith sector is down and in parts and hopes to get it re-erected on Friday. Results at the Observatory are very good.
Property of Royal Observatory will be extended.