Sends 40 pages of her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] along with suggestions for improvement. Suggests clarifying the principles of the first chapter and a fuller explanation of various other principles.
Showing 1–17 of 17 items
The Mary Somerville Collection
Transcriptions provided by Brigitte Stenhouse.
Sends 40 pages of her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] along with suggestions for improvement. Suggests clarifying the principles of the first chapter and a fuller explanation of various other principles.
Thanks JH for criticisms of her manuscript. Will outline principles more carefully. Hopes Lady Herschel is 'gaining strength.'
Sends first revised pages [of MS's Mechanism of the Heavens] back for further opinion. Highly respects JH's comments and believes he will be a truthful critic as a friend.
Sends new translation of [P. S. Laplace's] Mécanique céleste. Says her revision [of MS's Mechanism of the Heavens] has been effective. Still doubts the derivation of the fundamental equation. Discusses force, resistance, and reaction with regard to this equation.
Thanks JH for his communications. Anxious to get into the proof JH criticized. Sends [Joseph] LaGrange's variations of constant quantities.
Says manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] cannot be improved materially except perhaps on one or two small points. Will look at it again when it is together in a whole. Announces birth of JH's daughter [Caroline] that morning.
Offers congratulations on arrival of JH's first child. Thanks him for communicating his thoughts on her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] at such a time.
Sending back part of manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] for criticism. Hopes Mrs. Herschel and baby are well.
Will bring her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens]. Apologizes for holding it so long. Critiques various passages concerning permanent rotation and equations of stability. Sends condolences on Dr. Somerville's loss.
Sends a method of estimating the variations in the elements of orbits during the perturbations in longitude and distance. Used it in manuscript when examining Saturn and Jupiter.
Asks JH to send the astronomical part of her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] by Mr. Richards on Thursday.
Used a counter spell to keep the moon at a 'due distance.' Her previous computations were careless. Asks JH to return part of her manuscript [Mechanism of the Heavens] for corrections.
Wants to use method of indeterminate coefficients to integrate the differential equations of the planets' perturbations. [Originally written to W. Fairfax.]
Needs advice on integrating equations. Praises JH's book [Prelim. Discourse]. Says James Mackintosh and [Henry] Hallam also praise it. Note from William Somerville, which needs a reply, is enclosed.
Explains to MS P. S. Laplace's method of indeterminate coefficients in mathematics. Thanks MS for her praise of his book [Prelim. Discourse], which JH values more highly than newspaper reviews.
Sends preliminary observations that will be prefixed to her book [Mechanism of the Heavens]. Wants JH to make any criticisms of it before it is published.
Returns proofs and sends a few remarks concerning them. Discusses difficulty of measuring Eta Coronae. Anxious to see her [Mechanism of the Heavens]. Has another daughter [Isabella].