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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.
Has had a sleepless night and a headache after yesterday's mesmerists [see JH's 1845-1-11]; talks about the children with JH, and tells a silly joke about mesmerists.
Has been informed that William Parson's telescope resolves all the nebulae in JH's catalogue into stars.
About the health of Elizabeth Baily, and carpet advice from Miss Sheepshanks.
Critiques JD's paper on plant chemistry, contrasting 'luminous, colorific, calorific, & chemical or photographic' rays. Physics of light. [Letter continues two months later.] JH is done with photography. Has no desire to claim priorities in that field. Entrusts future to JD and others.
B.A.A.S. meets 18 June at Cambridge. Send contributions to report of Magnetical and Meteorological Committee to JH by 13 June.
Forwarded WB's report to B.A.A.S. at Cambridge. Sends payment for expenses. Two German meteorologists will be at B.A.A.S. meeting.
Perhaps periodic surges in atmospheric waves noticed by WB will repeat. Speaks of 'new climate' for globe. Hopes WB can attend [B.A.A.S.] meeting at Southampton.
JH suffering chest pains. Delighted that WB again observed 'great symmetrical wave.' Sun's effect on atmosphere is like the wake of 'Leviathan going round & round in a confined ... harbour.'
C. P. Smyth, chief assistant at Cape observatory for past nine years, is capable observer and qualified to succeed Thomas Henderson as Royal Astronomer at Edinburgh.
Membership dues, voting privileges, and need for discussions after reading of papers [probably at B.A.A.S. meetings]. Suggests announcing at each adjournment what the next topic will be. Considers prohibiting any discussion following medical papers.
News about JH's son William James, JH's doings, and JH misses MH and Collingwood very much.
Met John Franklin, who is to lead a polar expedition; JH makes disparaging comments about mesmerists, such as W. E. Parry; mentions having seen some other prominent men.
Testimonial to C. P. Smyth's dependability and competence as an astronomer.
Mostly about the health of JH and his wife, Margaret.
Comments about spending time with JH's son William James; then describes dinner at the Archbishop's palace.
Accepts GP's invitation to visit him at Ely Cathedral after the B.A.A.S. meeting at Cambridge. Asks advice on whether it would be proper for JH to read his address at the meeting.
Thanks for PS's Physical Description of New South Wales. Praises that publication.
Describes how JH arranged for an opening [in the Indian Civil Service] for JH's son William James at the time when he will be the proper age [see JH's 1845-1-31].
Speaks of JH's visits on the previous day; later this day, JH is to visit Mr. Plowden about a position for son William James.
CG having now received the Greenwich and Toronto observations, JH invites CG to write further material for the forthcoming publication.