Is enjoying son William's stay with JH; comments on the poetry of MH's letters as opposed to the lack of poetry in London. JH and son William are to go to dinner, but JH complains that he would rather have his Sundays in London free of engagements.
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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.
Is enjoying son William's stay with JH; comments on the poetry of MH's letters as opposed to the lack of poetry in London. JH and son William are to go to dinner, but JH complains that he would rather have his Sundays in London free of engagements.
Mostly about JH's health and instructions about the madeira and claret JH is sending home.
Talks about JH's continuing cough, refers to some bills that need to be settled, and tells MH that JH is committed to going out on Sunday, much against his will.
As the Mint is closing for a week, JH is trying to arrange a long weekend at Collingwood.
Has received an invitation from Algernon Percy and JH has accepted for MH and a few friends; JH has received a letter offering some lost spoons with JH's arms and crest. JH says this must be an attempt at a swindle as he has lost no such spoons, since they never existed. Urges some checking by MH. [Letter contains a note by MH asking someone to investigate on JH's behalf.]
Great distress about a letter from Charles Pritchard to the effect that JH's son William may not be ready for the entrance examination to Haileybury [to prepare for the Indian Civil Service]. JH is considering working with William to teach him Greek.
Following another letter from Charles Pritchard [see JH's 1850-6-14], it now appears that son William's Latin is deficient; JH will work with William during William's holidays, but is concerned about interruptions, mentioning an invitation to a ball at Buckingham Palace and 'Mrs. [Julia] Cameron's Artist,' who is coming to paint JH.
Unhappy with matters at the Mint; JH talks about the activities of the children, and about his involvement with the Great Exhibition. [Most of the letter written on 1851-4-7.]
Of JH's activities with some of the children; about an invitation to the Mansion House ball, and of the health and activities of several friends.
It appears JH is just back from Paris, and so brings MH up to date on the health of various individuals and on JH's activities. Describes the procedure for making fused muriate of lime, and the costs of insurance and income taxes.
About the expected death of [Richard] Jones; JH is about to leave to visit him and Mrs. Jones.
Has been to see [Richard] Jones, who has undergone some 'abominable' treatment; Mrs. Jones believes Jones is recovering; JH talks about a plague of boils in England. JH comments on the activities of a little kitten, on Annibale de Gasparis having found another planet [Eunomia?], and on a strange poem being written about the Crystal Palace by a man named [?] Warren.
Most of the letter is taken up in replying to MH's letters; JH talks about Charles Wheatstone's idea of 'binocular Daguerreotypes,' and about a chart of all balloon ascents, prepared in Paris, and brought to JH by a friend coming from there.
Is awaiting notice that he needs to go to see [Richard] Jones, who is very ill with a carbuncle on his neck. JH also comments on arrangements to be made related to Jones's illness.
Son William's report from the school at Haileybury is very good; JH attended the closing of the Crystal Palace Exhibition, which 'was very stupid.' A basket of grapes from Cornwall has been sent for MH, and JH is eating them.
Is extremely depressed at living in London, a 'howling wilderness of brick and mortar;' JH compares at some length the personality of MH and Richarda Airy; brings MH up to date on some family and acquaintance happenings, and mentions in passing that William Lassell has discovered two interior satellites of Uranus [Ariel and Umbriel].
About JH's health and news of friends and relatives.
Will be home a few days later than expected as JH is involved in a court case to be heard immediately after the one he is sitting through, and which he describes.
Comments on the Crimean War and the reports of Russian successes against Turkey; JH gives his opinion that England is more American than it is European.
Comments on the health of MH and daughters Margaret Louisa and Francisca, and then JH complains of his own health problems.