Has JH's memoir on elliptical orbits of Saturn. Asks for JH's indulgence with lack of astronomy in annals. AQ has no big instruments. Has planted thermometers for experiments. Finally received transit instrument from [H. P.] Gambey.
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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.
Has JH's memoir on elliptical orbits of Saturn. Asks for JH's indulgence with lack of astronomy in annals. AQ has no big instruments. Has planted thermometers for experiments. Finally received transit instrument from [H. P.] Gambey.
Has heard from Charles Babbage about JH, JH's father, and their telescopes. Describes telescope commission. Hopes to get to know JH better.
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.
Thrilled that JH has arrived safely in Cape Town; notes that JH's Cape Town trip has captivated the intellectual world.
Sweeping progressing quickly; has used the 20-ft. reflecting telescope since February. Discovered two planetary nebulae. Studying Scorpio closely, as CH suggested; has found gorgeous globular clusters there. The equatorial was erected recently.
Asks about JH's children. Remarks that JH's discovery of globular clusters in the Scorpion is not what she remembered William Herschel being mystified about; remembers that WH exclaimed that there seemed to be a 'Loch im Himmel' ('hole in heaven') there.
Developed a method that greatly simplifies Joseph Lagrange's integration of the 3n differential equations of motion of the second order by reducing all calculations to the application of 'one principal function.' Applies the method to planetary motion.
Oppressive heat prevents JH from visiting. Sending a list of furniture from Major John Ross's house, which JH definitely will purchase.
Saw a 'small round perfectly defined body' last night that looks like a planet.
Found a 'very fine' planetary nebula. Unable to learn anything conclusive from TM's microscope readings. JH's observation tower is erected and is currently being plastered.
Happy that TM is handling his facial paralysis so well; JH believes that it is due primarily to anxiety and overwork.
Gives location of a planetary nebula.
Predicting poor weather, JH advises TM not to go to the Grove tomorrow.
Invites TM to a meeting of the Meteorological Committee, which James Adamson, Abraham Cloete, and James Bance hope to attend.
Wants to learn more about JH's book-keeping system.
Thanks JH for reading Andrew Smith's letter.
Reviews his voyage to Africa in case CH did not receive JH's 1834-1-21 letter. Repairing the house that they bought outside of Cape Town, called 'Feldhausen' by the Dutch and 'The Grove' by the English; they are staying at another home close by. Happy that Table Mountain near the house shelters Feldhausen from southeast gales.
Thanks JH for Gamma Virginis observations, which are finally in accord with his. Sends observation of the double stars JH suggested watching. Works with Richard Sheepshanks. Francis Baily delivers details on Edinburgh meeting of philosophers. Sends news from Niccolo Cacciatore, who has returned to the Observatory in Naples.
Offers honors to JH from Asiatic Society in return for information and observations sent there. Oversees care of Asiatic Society telescope. Anxious to hear of JH's work at the Cape of Good Hope.
Sends observations of the double stars, which JH had suggested.