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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.
Construction of JH's new instrument for photographing spectral lines is still incomplete, and A. E. Becquerel has already announced discovery. JH will return £100 granted to JH by R.S.L.
Encloses bill, which JH signed, received from J. C. Stewart. JH and family visited Dover with G. B. Airy's family, where JH witnessed noiseless explosion of 18,000 pounds of powder distributed over 18 acres.
Sorry to have caused trouble. Please send JH's 'description and sketches' to Peter Stewart at 65 Cornhill.
Tells GA about a new comet becoming visible.
Inquires of CL about the suitability of George Robert Waterhouse for a natural history post in the British Museum. Congratulates CL on his successful trip to the United States.
Gives formula for defining the measure of the scale of an actinometer.
Comments on book on etymology forwarded by Sherwood & Co. [see 1843-5-26].
JH sends some examples of a unique kind of latent photograph, and adds other comments about various aspects of photography. JH has seen a good aurora. He now agrees with A. C. Becquerel's theory of the spectrum.
Is glad to have been put in touch with WH again. Supports WH for the Professorship of Botany in Dublin. Reminisces about the good times at the Cape.
Requests publication of what will hopefully be JH's last letter on the Slough telescope [see JH's "[Reply to Dr. Robinson [on the Reflecting Telescopes of the Late Sir William Herschel]," Athenaeum, #836 (Nov. 4, 1843), 983-4.
Comments on the intention of a friend of WF to write a work on geography. JH's son William was ill and at home and had commented on WF's son.
Thanks WH for his drawing of the comet, which JH will communicate to the R.A.S.
Refers to a variety of salts and their reaction to light in the production of photographs. JH hopes that [?] still intends to publish his work in this area.
Relinquishes R.S.L. Donation Fund for spectrometer [see JH's 1842-6-1], because [A. C.] Becquerel's research makes it obsolete.
Needs a good artisan to construct the framework of a solar spectrum photographic apparatus.
Would support improvements, both in number and quality, of lunar observations at the Royal Observatory; current practices produce unacceptably large predictive errors.
Requests on behalf of Richard Taylor, editor of Philosophical Magazine, use of plate from R.S.P.T.
Discusses deficiencies in astronomical equipment at Cape's observatory, and troubles in observing comets, double stars, and other phenomena. Hopes equipment can be updated.
Highly recommends a [William H.] Harvey (formerly Government Treasurer at the Cape) for the professorship of botany at Dublin.
Has been delayed in congratulating WH on pension by a delightful visit from Maria Edgeworth. Praises highly verses sent by WH's sister to Lady Herschel.