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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.
The magnetic and meteorological observatories were never part of any other system. Is not certain whether the Visitors had anything to do with these observatories. Captain Herbert in an Indian journal has proposed a formula for the wet bulb thermometer. Has arranged for the notice to be sent to JH.
The President was requested to write to the East India Company about the observatories. Continuance of the magnetic observations at Greenwich was referred to the Committee of Physics. Cannot find where Nicolas Clement-Desormes's observations are published. Has been studying the wet bulb problem. Capt. Herbert has denounced the article on hygrometry in Brewster's Encyclopaedia.
Has been with Philip Melvill of the East India Co. discussing the printing of the observations. Would it be a good use of JH's photographic papers to take a reverse of William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) drawings of nebulae? Cannot obtain Nicolas Clement-Desormes's or John Sharpe's papers. Doubts if the mode of measuring latent heat hitherto used can be recommended for accuracy.
Thought his letter had miscarried. Thanks for the gift of his recently published work [Cape Results]. Will be glad to supply any information from his own work on comets, which he hopes to send in the course of a few days. Is studying U. J. J. Leverrier's method of development by elimination.
Regarding his own method of calculating the perturbations of the comets. Expense of computation is high for an individual and a mention by JH would bring support for his scheme. Would like to explain his method at an ordinary meeting in January. Every branch of science is facilitated by tables and those he suggests seem most desirable.
Has been considering a reply to JL's letter of the 25th. Outlines two courses to take and prefers the latter himself. Communicate with Richard Sheepshanks regarding the viva voce.
Is obliged by his note and will accordingly write to Richard Sheepshanks. Spot on the sun was very visible to the naked eye recently. Looks forward to seeing JH.
Even though he was Vice-Chancellor [of London University], he had no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the internal regulations of the colleges connected with the University. Regarding the education of young children. Sends some music for Lady Herschel. Would like them to pay him a visit.
Has received the books. Began with Karl Holtzmann's and finds the reasoning at fault. Comments on this. [Marked 'not sent.']
R.S.L. business about an observatory at the North Cape in Sweden.
Comments on a paper on the calotype by W. H. F. Talbot, adding some experiences of his own on the subject.
Comments on Louis Daguerre's work, and on the question of a North Cape observatory.
Comments on balloon ascent report, photographic paper made with vegetable colors, and the need to provide a polarizing crystal to J. B. Biot.
Comments on JL's improvements to planetary theory.
Arrangements for JL's presentation to be made to the R.A.S.
Has received JL's memoir on the tides. JH would like to amalgamate certain portions with a memoir from William Whewell. JH adds some comments on photographic experiments he has made.
Believes that R.S.L.'s request for £3000 grant to establish permanent magnetic and meteorological observatory is too hasty. Urges caution. Points out potential problems.
Is unable to come to London for the Standards Commission meeting and thus will also not be able to come to the dinner party. Encloses some recent photographs.
Thanks JH for the receipt of a report of JH's work.
JH comments on JL's 'memoir on the heat of vapours,' indicating JH's dissatisfaction with the experimental basis (the experimental work of J. L. Gay-Lussac) for the conclusions. JH offers improvements in the construction and operation of the ice calorimeter.