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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.
Acknowledges receipt of some parcels, and then discusses in some detail JH's financial situation, including the fact that JH's aunt, Caroline, has refused the annual portion of rent from Slough. JH expresses concern for the safety of Mr. Calder, and concludes with some family news.
Comparing meteorological records from Bengal with those at the Cape, JH is led to some theoretical considerations about air movements, supporting his ideas with reference to other meteorological observations.
Provides an account of JH's observatory arrangements, some interesting observations, and the effect of the weather on observing.
Describes JH's location at the Cape and his observational sweeps, lists nebulae and double stars, as well as comet and eclipse observations. [Letter finished on 1835-3-5.]
Comments on CW's work on light and on the velocity of electricity. JH's ruminations lead him to the idea of motion pictures.
Comments on the possible loss of some mail going to England, the longitude of Mauritius, and the tides at the Cape. Wonders if anyone was able to observe Halley's Comet during the recent solar eclipse.
Compares JT's observations of stars very favorably with most others available to JH; explains how JH had helped Thomas Maclear improve the mounting on a telescope at the Cape observatory, together with comments on other equipment.
Comments on financial arrangements for John [Stewart] together with other business matters, and asks for an estimate for printing the results of JH's Cape observations.
Some geological samples have been lost on the way to England; JH comments on his ideas of the effect of the earth's hot core on the construction of the earth's crust.
Comments about AD's work in mathematical functions, and then refers to JH's reductions and other astronomical matters, including the need for reform of stellar nomenclature.
Pleased with the observations and astronomical literature JH received from FS; JH is packing up for the return to England; comments on causes of variations in stellar magnitude and several other astronomical topics.
LH's meteorological circular register was laid before the Meteorological Committee, which considers it worthy of notice. Comments on this, and would like to discuss the matter further.
Compares magnitudes for some specific stars and then comments more generally on that question; JH believes he will no longer be able to observe in winter in England as he is too severely afflicted by rheumatism.
In response to a request, JH provides such details as he can about atmospheric and ground temperatures at the Cape; JH goes on to describe how his flowers brought from the Cape are doing.
Wishes to have mentioned to the Physical Section of the B.A.A.S. that JH has discovered that the extreme red rays [infra-red?] of the sun do not darken photographic paper, but tend to whiten it.
Is very insistent that JH receive clear title to Collingwood, with no encumbrances.
Regrets he was unable to meet him when in Hanover. Took no part in Guillaume Weber's operations at the Cape, but has become acquainted with them through Weber's volumes. Has pressed the Admiralty on the necessity of Magnetic Observatories at various places. Regarding AH's observations on the barometer.
Replies to TH's 1829-2-16, giving details of observations. Have not been printed yet. Household in a state as they have just moved.
Forwards some material from William Lamb [Lord Melbourne]; JH wants to stop any rumors that he is available for the presidency of the R.S.L.
Praises and comments on RJ's book on economics [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Laments overly strong language used by William Fitton and Charles Babbage in criticizing R.S.L. Comments on JH having lost the election for R.S.L. presidency.