Comments on behavior of Charles Babbage [see JG's 1827-2-1].
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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.
Comments on behavior of Charles Babbage [see JG's 1827-2-1].
Informs JG about mutual friends and JG's daughter.
JH describes his meeting with Margaret Stewart's mother to acquaint her with JH's intentions towards her daughter.
Of JH's happiness on his honeymoon.
Writes to complain that JH has not seen or heard from JG for some time.
Enquiry regarding the possibility of a vacancy in the position of organist at the cathedral. If there is, he knows a suitable candidate.
Is grateful for his comments on his own theories regarding the flat 7th as a harmonic. Enlarges on this theme.
JH says he has too much work to do to consider the Plumian Professorship [see RG's 1827-11-9].
Was glad to see the clause in Dr. Thomas Plume's will. Sees many advantages in the professorship at Cambridge, but still adheres to his former decision not to apply for the position.
Comments on the observations in two of JG's papers.
Rejoices to hear TH is a candidate for the Professorship of Astronomy at Edinburgh University. His astronomical work has been of great assistance to JH, especially his detection of the reasons for the error in the Greenwich Observations.
Declines being considered for the Lucasian professorship at Cambridge, stating his convictions 'that I shall do more for science as an independent amateur than as a Professor of any particular branch or department of it.' Proposes Charles Babbage as candidate. [Also includes draft of letter to George Peacock requesting his support for Babbage.]
Outlining his scheme for election of candidates to a post [appears to be an astronomer for an observatory].
In response to AH's 1828-10-8, JH writes to tell him of William Herschel's ideas on nebulae and the Magellanic Clouds.
Sending by the bearer mirror No. 3 of which he spoke. Will exchange it for Troughton's if TH can make use of JH's. Do not attempt to clean Edward Troughton's mirror with acid. Hopes he does not feel obliged to carry out any particular series of observations.
Knows nothing of the enmity of Humphry Davy towards [John] Herapath. The purpose of JH's last letter was to point out that Herapath was in error in his solution of certain equations. Must consider correspondence closed.
Assures JI that JH could not, and would not, utter such threats, and has sent Stephen Lee a copy of this letter [see JI's 1828-7-10].
In reply to JI's 1828-11 states that the delay over sending the medal has arisen because there is no die in existence so that no medal has been struck.
Many thanks for the Hindoo myth. May attempt to put it in verse when he can spare the time from star gazing and computing. The South American Indians imagine their ancestors are hunting among the constellations. Is glad James Grahame called. Sorry to hear a poor account of Captain Kater's health.
Introducing William Whewell, who will be visiting Paris.