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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.
JH's opinions about disruptive effect of tremors on observatory if proposed railway tunnel is built under Greenwich Park. Proposes method for adjusting train schedule to reduce interference with observations.
Indicates that JH is unaware of any such constellation as that to which CM has referred.
Compliments of JH and his wife.
Urges a visit to Collingwood by CB. Refers to the development of a cypher.
The chemist C. F. Schönbein has invented a form of 'explosive cotton' and is looking for an opportunity to demonstrate it. JH is asking CP to help arrange matters.
There is a need for a meeting of the Committee of Physics [R.S.L.] to discuss the current method of making temperature corrections for magnetic observations.
A committee meeting is being called [see JH's 1846-10-22].
Cannot provide any specimens of photography or the spectrum good enough for an exhibition, as most have faded. A French chemist just announced as a discovery a fact long since known by JH.
Is very pleased about FA's biography of JH's father, William. JH comments on what pictures of William Herschel might be available to be included in this biography.
Thanks [?] for the honor of having her book on astronomy dedicated to JH.
A collection of birthday greetings from JH, his wife, Margaret, and seven of their children, six of whom wrote their greetings in German. JH refers to Biela's Comet having thrown off a portion of itself, producing what JH calls a 'Double Comet.'
A note to arrange a meeting to discuss the propriety of continuing the Kew Observatory.
[Charles] Lyell, [Roderick] Murchison, and JH will speak at B.A.A.S. [T. R.] Robinson should be notified that he will not need to speak at the meeting. Sees few advantages to combining all existing scientific societies into one.
Thanks WS for the description of the Pulkowa Observatory. Remarks on the discovery of the new planet [Neptune], 'a most spirit stirring event.' Questions whether a small distant satellite of Jupiter could have escaped detection.
Looks to reap fruits of observations. AQ's treatise on atmospheric waves has not arrived. R.S.L. has refused to 'receive and retain works communicated through them.'
Suggests dates for upcoming B.A.A.S. meeting that will allow time to get report on Kew Observatory and committee meeting.
WH's theorems on ellipsoids are new to JH, but JH is unfamiliar with the field, so they may not actually be new. Wishes to master mathematics. Still working on Cape observations. Believes Neptune was almost an English discovery, and would have been well-named Minerva.
Has unsuccessfully tried to get in touch with [Hugh] Falconer and Falconer's publisher about obtaining further government aid for Falconer's research. Hopes RM, JH's fellow B.A.A.S. committee member, can help.
Needs information on [H?]F's government aid, publication plans, costs, to be presented at upcoming B.A.A.S. committee meeting for obtaining further funds.
Proposes a plan for the distribution of printed copies of the star catalogues [see GA's 1845-7-25].