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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.
Passes on the suggestion, from G. B. Airy, of the use of copper rings for damping the movements of measuring instruments in measuring terrestrial magnetism.
Has just done photographic experiments using bromine paper, and is very pleased with them. JH notes in a postscript that he had just received a letter from W. H. Fox Talbot stating that Fox Talbot had just discovered bromine paper as well.
Regarding the affair of Dr. Andrew Smith, who has done good work with an expedition. Thinks it desirable that Smith should be given leave of absence to return to England and write up the expedition.
Comparisons of the functioning of JH's barometer and that of TM.
Discusses JH's recent observations of Gamma Virginis.
Reports on location of a planetary nebula. Expresses thanks for book by [Robert] Woodhouse.
Has interpolated the hourly tidal observations for Simon's Bay.
Encourages WS to spend time observing nebulae and double stars, especially the latter, 'since [James] South has given up observing, and [W. R.] Dawes is in habitual ill health.'
Reports having read the record JH sent of [tidal] observations and comments on it.
Reports on JH's actinometer observations. Explains why he subscribed to 'Col. [Harry] Smith's piece of plate.'
Discusses various matters relating to telescopic and to tidal observations. Relays request from William Whewell that TM continue tidal observations.
Comments on stellar observations made by TM and reports JH's observations on sunspots. Notes error in [J. E.] Bode's celestial map.
Mostly about periodic meteors [see RP's 1836-5-24], which JH observed in November 1835. JH offers some theoretical explanation for such a phenomenon.
Wants some rewording in the statement that is to go with the monetary support for John Fairbairn [see JR's 1837-6-6].
Continues to be concerned that the support for John Fairbairn not be seen as a political act, nor as one intended to impugn the decision of the South African Court of Justice. [Letter completed with a lengthy postscript on 1837-7-10.]
Is working towards having the government hire the school masters [see GN's 1839-9-30] that GN asked JH to find. JH has also spoken to Lord John Russell about Andries Stockenstrom's plight. [Letter finally completed on 1840-2-11.]
Has heard from G. B. Airy that T. F. Colby has written to Ireland for the compensation bars. An additional assistant has been designated but no appointment made yet. Received a letter from their good friend but does not feel justified in bringing it to the notice of a minister. Admiralty has borrowed Fuller's theodolite (from R.A.S.) and the mural circle should soon arrive. Gives Michael Faraday's analysis of the meteorolite.
Suggests a means of resolving TM's problem with the mural circle.
Has received books and papers by the Beagle but only one letter and nothing from Francis Beaufort. Expects a party of visitors from the Beagle. If JH intends to visit the Bay, TM would like to accompany him.
Found Encke's Comet the night before last. Has not had a chance to see Halley's Comet. Will JH come to the Observatory? There are no fleas.