Of family news, health, and an eclipse of the moon [letter completed 1834-1-8].
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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.
Of family news, health, and an eclipse of the moon [letter completed 1834-1-8].
Of dreams and illness.
Hopes he received his Essay on the Primitive Standard. Arrived at Simon's Town on Tuesday and hopes to call on JH before he departs.
Comparisons of the functioning of JH's barometer and that of TM.
Matters relating to providing observatory instruments to an expedition into Central Africa.
Recent article in Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal confirms JH's notion about transfer of atmospheric pressure between hemispheres. Meteorological journal from 1828 to 1833 of Captain Barnes, port officer of Cape Town, provided JH with formula for determining annual maxima and minima of pressure.
Poem in honor of JH's arrival at Cape of Good Hope.
Feels uneasy giving response to members of expedition into interior, who requested government instruments, until TM hears from Admiral [Frederick] Warren and judges expedition's chances for success. Asks JH's opinion.
Describes in detail many of the plants at the Cape, especially flowering and variously scented ones.
Includes temperature readings for waters near the Cape. Sends 'Thomson's Lunar Tables' and [Thomas] 'Lynn's Horary Tables.' Servant's health is failing. May have to send her home immediately.
Reports that they are 'safely landed and comfortably housed' in Africa. The Herschels were at sea for nine weeks and two days. Required several days to unload the instruments and luggage from the ship. Has chosen a house, about five miles from town, called 'The Grove.' Excited with the calm, clear nights, which will be excellent for observations.
Is sorry they were unable to see the Herschels but would be happy to dine at Feldhausen.
Has arrived safely and unpacked his instruments. Has seen a suitable house for his observatory. Difficulty with the female servant brought from England. Has met Thomas Maclear. Difficulties of the latter.
Would like him to attend a small dinner party on Monday next.
Leaving part of his manuscript on alphabets. Will be a meeting at his house and would be pleased if JH would come and give his views.
Recognizing the limitations of DS's medical education and DS's location in India as well as JH's superior learning, DS requests that his brother-in-law (JH) recommend to him a 'course of study' suitable to DS's situation and needs.
Has arrived at Cape Town; finds it an 'Earthly Paradise.' Describes its climate and noteworthy features of the southern heavens. JH's views on geology transformed by having read volume III of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology.