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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.
ES agreed to superintend publication of magnetic observations only because Humphrey Lloyd refused to do so any further. Format intended for each volume. Gratitude for JH's contributions to magnetic research. [P.S.: Provision of instruments to U.S. observers.]
Informed A. T. Kupffer that JH will preside at 1845 B.A.A.S. meeting and invited Kupffer to attend. Activities of [James] Renwick and A. D. Bache in trigonometrical survey of U.S.
Let George Peacock take care of inviting foreign magnetic researchers to B.A.A.S meeting at Cambridge. ES could prepare report on results of British government observatories by next February.
Sends copy of ES's memorandum to George Peacock describing progress in publication of magnetic and meteorological observations. Encloses copies of observations from Antarctic survey and Ceylon. Reasons for H.E.I.C.'s hesitation to expand survey by C. M. Elliott. Praises C. J. B. Riddell's book, which described portable magnetic apparatus that is now requested by observers worldwide. Recent changes in other instruments. Reimbursement for instruments provided to observatory in Newfoundland. Recent results of surveys on Continent, in Canada, and by Capt. Blackwood in Torres Straits.
Forwarded to George Peacock JH's letter of 11 Sept. Karl Kreil will send self-registering instruments that ES ordered for Kew observatory. Influence of vapor pressure on barometer readings. Introduction of hygrometers.
George Peacock returned JH's papers, with letter by Peacock. ES forwards these to JH.
Received letter from J. H. Lefroy in Athabasca [Canada]. Extract of C. J. B. Riddell's winter magnetic operations and summer plans along Red River.
J. H. Lefroy returned from McKenzie River [Canada] having established at least 350 magnetic stations between there and Red River, 'a fine pendant for [J. C.] Ross's survey' in southern hemisphere.' If expedition continues through winter, it will provide excellent survey of North American disturbances.
Sent out copies of JH's remarks on Toronto actinometer. Expects that observations recommended by JH will be made next summer. Replacement for J. H. Kay's broken actinometer will arrive [in Tasmania] next June. Possible remedies to declination readings.
Observations from H.E.I.C. stations were supposed to be sent to foreign secretary of R.S.L. Prospects for persuading H.E.I.C. to reduce and publish these. Best methods of publication. Toronto volume should be available next week. Report by W. R. Birt was delayed.
How to obtain copies of H.E.I.C. observations. Humphrey Lloyd never intended to process data from H.E.I.C. observatories; these were added to survey after Lloyd's original (1838) offer to superintend B.A.A.S. observations. Sends copy of Toronto volume to JH to use as model for H.E.I.C. publications. Asks for JH's suggestions for Arctic observations next winter. Encloses note from [T. R.] Robinson in Parsonstown.
Lists 17 foreign and six English scientists to whom ES sent JH's letter and Toronto volume.
Forwards reply from C. R. Weld explaining why Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations were not sent to English and foreign scientists involved in global survey.
JH's influence worked; J. W. Lubbock asked ES for list of recipients for Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations. Preparations for new Arctic expedition. Will give copies of JH's letter to F. M. E. Wilmot and J. H. Kay. New observatory at Colombo [Ceylon]. Problem defining seasons for observations at St. Helena. Reply from W. E. Weber [to JH's circular].
Actinometers are 'counterordered.' Reply from H. W. Dove to JH's circular. Problem defining seasons for tropical stations. Concerned that some authorities are reaching decision to extend or to terminate magnetic observations before receiving and reading Toronto volume. Failure of R.S.L. to send Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations to appropriate recipients. Details of J. H. Lefroy's magnetic survey for Hudson's Bay Company, and misunderstanding over who would pay for Lefroy's transportation. Efforts by F. M. E. Wilmot to obtain ship for survey of [Cape of Good Hope]. ES concurs with Treasury's suggestion that copy of Toronto volume be sent to each colony. Observations of nebulae by T. R. Robinson.
Encloses letters from H. W. Dove, A. T. Kupffer, and L. A. J. Quetelet. Dove is not familiar with methods used in Toronto.
Receiving replies [to JH's circular] from English and foreign correspondents. George Peacock sent them invitations to B.A.A.S. meeting at Cambridge. Suggests defining tropical 'seasons' by monsoon activity. Board of Ordnance sent copy of Toronto volume to each British colony.
JH misunderstood ES's method for organizing St. Helena meteorological observations. Problem defining seasons for tropical stations. Received more replies to JH's circular. Difficulty of making hourly observations in European observatories, where civilian assistants are employed. Does not agree with Humphrey Lloyd that self-registering instruments will soon replace observers. Invited [L. F.] Kämtz to [B.A.A.S. meeting at] Cambridge. Believes that Elias Loomis will become leading meteorologist in U.S.
Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot] forgot about publication arrangements. Lt. [Home?] and Lt. [?] Clark left Cape of Good Hope for Antarctica on 9 Jan. Reply from C. F. Gauss. German copies of Toronto observations were delayed in Cologne.
Reply from G. A. Erman to JH's circular is best one yet received. Erman recommends calculating magnetic constants of 1829. ES suggests grant from B.A.A.S. to fund this. Alexander Humboldt will reply soon. Charles Wheatstone should describe new apparatus in letter to JH that can be sent to observatories.