Reports on Francis Baily's accident and his progress. JH's 'stars' were brought to the R.A.S. and examined by Baily. Mrs. G. B. Airy's health improving. Notes William Whewell's planned marriage.
Showing 41–60 of 120 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.
Reports on Francis Baily's accident and his progress. JH's 'stars' were brought to the R.A.S. and examined by Baily. Mrs. G. B. Airy's health improving. Notes William Whewell's planned marriage.
Thanks RS for the news of Francis Baily; requests an update on his condition. Criticizes 'reduced map' prepared by [James] Basire. Has drawn up a catalogue to go with his paper, as RS requested, arranged in regions. Praises William Whewell's choice of a bride.
Updates Francis Baily's medical condition, noting that it is more serious than RS had thought. Thinks [James] Basire missed JH's meaning. Suggests how to improve the engraving, perhaps using pewter. Explains that he wants the catalogue to serve the needs of expeditions.
Gives his opinion of [George] Merz, stating that he has not done anything to 'distinguish himself from a mere practical follower of [Josef] Fraunhofer.' Requests that JH send encouragement to James Challis.
F. W. A. Argelander has requested the R.A.S. to pledge itself to publish one of his writings. RS notes that it is a rule of the R.A.S. not to do this, but rules can be broken if there is 'sufficient advantage.' Suggests Argelander's request be granted and that JH write him.
Urges JH to plead to Lord Palmerston on behalf of [H. C.] Schumacher. Suggests arguments JH might use. States that JH as 'chief of British astronomy by inheritance, by age & by service' is the ideal person to make this plea.
Thanks JH for the letter to Lord Palmerston on [H. C.] Schumacher's behalf. Comments on British politics.
Has entered JH's name for Foreign Secretary of the R.A.S. and explains the circumstances. On his observations and method of observation of the recently discovered asteroid Astrea.
Requests information from RS on the life of Francis Baily for a biographical sketch JH was asked to draw up for a special meeting of the R.A.S.]
Sent his letter of 2 Oct. to Woburn Place. Has since learned that RS moved to Reading. Requests again information on the life of Francis Baily, especially on Baily's pendulum experiments.
Responds in detail to JH's request [1844-10-12] for RS's assessment of Francis Baily's character and contributions.
Thanks RS for his letter on Francis Baily. Wants a copy of the engraving of Baily's portrait that RS is preparing, and thinks RS ought to make arrangements for its distribution among R.A.S. members.
Supplements earlier letter [1844-10-19] giving JH his views on Francis Baily
[John] Lee has a silhouette of Caroline Herschel as a young lady; would JH like it? Discusses whether JH should include Francis Baily's relationship to his family in JH's memoir on Baily. Names those to whom he plans to give copies of Baily's portrait.
Does not think Francis Baily's relatives should take part in JH's presentation on Baily to the R.A.S., but if they have asked to do so, they should not be refused. Would like a copy of Caroline Herschel's silhouette. Is'facing the engraver's hands' with his nebula, and must get the plate of JH's portrait, which RS placed at the disposal of the Duke of Northumberland.
Adds remarks to his previous comments [JH 1344-11-17] on Francis Baily's relatives participating in the memorial to Baily.
Clarifies a point raised in an earlier letter about JH being the proper person to deal with the relatives of Francis Baily. On the mishandling of arrangements for Baily's portrait by the R.A.S. On [W. S.] Stratford's poor leadership in this matter.
Discusses controversy between [George] Bishop and [W. R.] Dawes. Recommends that the R.A.S. publish a paper by Dawes correcting errors in the published work. Wants to purchase some of Francis Baily's books. Mentions RS's work on the standard of length.
Has mislaid RS's letter and forgotten the question RS asked concerning Baily's print. Asks him to refresh his memory. Could not get to the sale [of Francis Baily's books]. Gives the works of Baily that he wants to purchase.
Requests RS to let him know how much JH owes him for the books by Francis Baily, which RS purchased for him. Has received RS's pamphlet [on the Liverpool Observatory].