Writes to complain that JH has not seen or heard from JG for some time.
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.
Writes to complain that JH has not seen or heard from JG for some time.
Declines to serve on a committee to assist the Council of the R.S.L. to revise its charter and statutes.
If he will send him what notes he has on his father he will forward them to [Josiah?] Quincy. Can he let him have definite news as to the disposal of the History?
Expresses his views to FB about the meeting of the Admiralty, Greenwich Observatory, [and members of the Astronomical Society?] held the previous day.
Thanks RG for a copy of the History of Physical Astronomy; comments on the behavior of cometary tails.
About possible changes in the second edition of JH's Outlines Astr. due to the writings of another astronomer, Ignatio Porro.
About viewing the solar eclipse, and the many errors in G. B. Airy's Lectures.
Offers to smooth the way for WS in communicating with the various astronomers on the Continent whom JH knows.
Recommends some changes in committee report being prepared that deals with the use to be made of the Royal Observatory's observational data.
Is advising Mr. R about a number of considerations to be taken into account while considering an invitation to apply for the position of Professor of Mathematics at the College of William and Mary in the United States.
Returns Mary Somerville's note and the papers. Does not feel competent to give his opinion on the papers as a whole as there are parts outside his field of study. Comments on some of the points raised, and on the whole he disagrees with the conclusions of the papers.
Has kept Mary Somerville's papers a little longer. If these papers are to be published they would require considerable revision.
Enquiry regarding the possibility of a vacancy in the position of organist at the cathedral. If there is, he knows a suitable candidate.
Is very pleased with the results of WD's double star observations of Zeta Cancri, which William Stratford forwarded to JH.
Is grateful for his comments on his own theories regarding the flat 7th as a harmonic. Enlarges on this theme.
Suggests an improvement in measuring techniques for astronomical observations, by making the angular measurement by direct and then reflected vision. JH wonders whether this idea might be appended to a paper currently under consideration by the R.A.S.
Sorry to hear he has been laid up, but his recovery has been quicker than his own. Unable to help him as his own lands have to be sold, but encloses a check for £20, which please acknowledge with a promissory note.
Discusses a variety of observations related to double stars, and asks FS to make some specific observations to compare with JH's work. Reveals JH's dream of going to the Southern Hemisphere for a number of years, but asks FS to keep it quiet, as 'many ties' stand in the way.
Thanks for the pamphlet on the Figure of the Earth, but regrets he cannot agree with its conclusions. Points out some of the more serious errors.
Does not agree with the conclusion of JG's pamphlet, nor does he think an expedition necessary. Suggests termination of correspondence.