Had no report he could offer the Astronomical Society. Outlines the situation in Chile. Hopes to arrange the material on his recent voyages in the form of a book.
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.
Had no report he could offer the Astronomical Society. Outlines the situation in Chile. Hopes to arrange the material on his recent voyages in the form of a book.
Many thanks for his beautiful ballad.
Approves of the plan for the observatory. Comments on some of the features. Good equatorial is a necessity. Will try to obtain a copy of the plan of the Cambridge Observatory.
Regrets delay in answering JH's communication, but was away from Bath when the letter arrived. Interested in the extraordinary local attraction observed by Mr. Duncan in 1791. Gives locations of three such situations in his recent voyage. Comments on the use of Peter Barlow's plate. Will write to Barlow before his next voyage.
Letter to [Edinburgh Philosophical] Journal calling attention to 1809 article by [Paul] Erman of Berlin, which some say anticipated JH's 1824 Bakerian lecture on 'Motions produced in fluid conductors when transmitting the Electric current.' JH compares both papers, admits Erman's priority on some theoretical points but claims originality for JH's experiments.
Received [?]'s inquiry of 1 Feb. Lists all biographical notices pertaining to William Herschel. Comments in detail on biography and philosophy of WH in David Brewster's Edinburgh Review.
Defends William Herschel's views against charges of hostility to religion. Describes his father as 'a sincere believer in, and worshipper of, a benevolent, intelligent, and superintending Deity....","L
Will forward Astronomische Nachrichten to JH and Astronomical Society. Comments on quality of [Joseph] Fraunhofer's micrometer, which has only the wires illuminated. [C. F.] Gauss uses a theodolite to determine the angle of the telescope.
Regrets missing JH's visit. Refers JH to [Charles] König for admission to Department of Natural History at the British Museum.
Requesting information of the dispersion of rays in Crown and Flint glass.
Regarding the First Assistant at Greenwich Observatory, and the possibility of JH ever becoming Astronomer Royal. Hopes to see him on Wednesday.
Sends GA information about indices of refraction in different glasses and in different parts of the spectrum; also recommends the writings of Josef Fraunhofer.
Packets will be sent Saturday by Smith, Elder & Co., so that the one for [Caroline] Herschel will not be late for Mr. Köhler.
JH is correct, and TY's 'little man is wrong.' Moon's apparent angular motion increases as spectator moves closer.
Acknowledges letters from AB and French Board of Longitude received by Astronomical Society. Thanks for care given to JH's reflecting theodolite by Mr. Schenk. Promises copy of JH's and James South's [1824] article on double stars. Hopes to hear from J. B. Fourier regarding biography of William Herschel.
JH's theory of colors. Edward Troughton has DB's instrument one-third completed. When will DB want JH's encyclopedia article on 'Variation'?
Receipt and shipment of various papers and letters. Robert Molyneux has not received payment for clock. JH ordered another for L. A. Fallon; it is ready to ship. Clarifies Edward Sabine's remark about pendulums. Hopes to translate JL's Analytical Geometry. JH translated JL's 'empirical formula of refraction.' Believes JL's method of determining latitude without knowing the time is not new. Notes J. W. A. Pfaff's translation of William Herschel's works.
Orders missing issues of Astronomische Nachrichten. Answers HS's question about JH's essay on Physical Astronomy. James South's testimony 'vindicated' Josef Fraunhofer's repeating micrometer to Edward Troughton. C. F. Gauss's mode of determining powers of telescopes. Nothing heard of Captain [Maughan?]. Directions for sending [K. L.] 'Harding's atlas' to JH. Gives J. F. Daniell's address. Astronomical Society is gratified that HS dedicated book to it. Shall direct Robert Molyneux to send L. A. Fallon's clock to HS.
If JS has not already passed on to Humphry Davy JH's letter of 1823-12-21, JS should do so immediately. If post of Astronomer Royal should become vacant, JH would be interested in it, but would not wish to work with Stephen Lee, then under consideration for appointment as head assistant at Greenwich.
Wishes JS immediately and confidentially to pass on to Humphry Davy JH's letter of 1823-12-21, making clear that JH does not favor appointment of Stephen Lee as head assistant at the Royal Observatory. Has heard that JS has felt that JH slighted JS in JH's letter. Denies this.