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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 just received his letter of 27 June. Further work of Lieut. C. L. Largeteau. Longitude readings at various points.
Concerning Lieut. C. L. Largeteau's recent observations.
Regarding corrections requested by JH in a printed article. Ill health and overwork applies to him also. Pleased to hear of the work of the Optical Glass Committee. Comments on this.
Notes and comparisons for their recent observations of stars. Was interested in the account of Henry Kater's collimator and hopes it will be adapted for Greenwich.
Would like to borrow the drawing of Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Has received an account of this telescope from Wilhelm Struve, which he is now translating. Regarding the miscarriage of the Memoirs for Struve.
Is sending a copy of Wilhelm Struve's paper on Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Regarding F. W. Bessel's formula on longitude. Has copies of J. J. Littrow's paper for him.
Enclosing vouchers relating to the stock, etc. Regarding the interpretation of a letter from F. W. Bessel. The inquiries regarding the Astronomer Royal.
Regarding the travels of a packet of Wilhelm Struve's observations. Please bring F. W. Bessel's letter with him when he comes to the Committee meeting.
Will be pleased to accept his invitation to spend some days at Slough.
Send copies of the errata to Giuseppe Piazzi's catalogue. Cloud ruined his observation of Saturn.
Regarding his own experiments with revolving balls.
Richard Copeland has received such instruments as the Board thought he should have. A mountain barometer seems extravagant for his duties. If JH thinks a camera lucida is necessary, one can be supplied.
Is grateful for being elected an Associate of the Astronomical Society. Compares barometers. Grateful for comments on his pamphlet. News of expedition up Mont Cuccio. Local disputes regarding the results.
Thanks for information on the R.S.L. barometers. Would he purchase various instruments for the new observatory. Notes on star readings.
Introduces Dionysius Lardner, author of system of algebraic geometry, visiting England.
Received volume on double stars by JH and James South. Followed JH's advice, ordered instruments from Germany. Asked Josef Fraunhofer to design transit instrument to fit pillars designed by Edward Troughton. Quotes Fraunhofer's response [in French] that pillars should be moved to accommodate his instrument. David Brewster anxious for JH to answer last letter.
Appreciates JH's interest in and encouragement of CW's experiments. Describes new experiments to elucidate theory of undulatory motion of sound and light. Invented 'kaleidophone' to display paths of vibrating rods. Hopes JH can confirm these results.
Sends drawings associated with WW's paper and passed by [R.S.L.] Council for printing, and memoir from M. A. Pictet.
Invites JH to dinner Saturday to meet J. G. S. Van Breda.
Encloses paper sent by Mr. Perkins for R.S.L, and impression just received from printer.