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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.
Will be unable to attend the Council Meeting of the Astronomical Society. Gives his views on accommodation for the Astronomical Society at Somerset House. J. Soldner's tables. Will send for G. B. Airy's parcel.
Comments on several astronomical topics, viz., the publication of unreduced observations, the strange behavior of some of GA's clocks, the problem of no significant stars in some areas when sweeping the sky, and the effects of Venus and the Moon on each other's behavior; asks GA for confirmation of some star positions.
A note of praise for Margaret Stewart [JH's fiancée] as a covering note for an enclosed 6pp letter from JH's cousin, Mary Baldwin, to CH, describing Margaret and her family.
About the renovations at Slough [see JH's 1829-12-10 or earlier], and about a poem by Ovid JH had been reading.
More about the renovations at Slough [see JH's 1829-12-11], and about JH's travels from London.
Is reporting on the state of renovations at Slough.
Has been suffering with a cold; sends a few instructions for MH to carry out; hopes the renovations will be done by 6 Jan. [see JH's 1829-12-15].
About the sermon in church on the day before, and some difficulties encountered in the renovations [see JH's 1829-12-[16]].
JH and wife, passing through Birmingham, want to visit manufactory at Soho. Recalls friendship of MB's father and William Herschel and friendship of JH and late James Watt.
Apologizes for request to visit MB's manufactory. Declines dinner invitation. Plans to visit other local manufactories.
Explains that he does not wish to be a member of the new Board of Longitude; wishes instead to devote his energies to his research. Is leaving to travel for some months [with his bride]; cannot attend committee meetings during this period.
Accepts arrangement proposed by DL. JH will write a volume on astronomy [Treatise Astr.], but will need time. 14852
Thanks RM for information RM sent on fossils. JH's brother-in-law, due to an accident, has, however, ended geological investigations.
Note regarding the translation into German of JH's Light, which JH notes has already appeared in French.
Thanks SR for letter announcing SR's discovery of observation of comet of 1759 [see SR's 1829-3-18]. Asks SR to communicate information directly to [F. W.] Bessel. Will keep SR's letter confidential.
Asks about a servant JH is considering hiring to accompany JH on JH's trip to the Continent.
Pays bill for a palladium chain. May wish to purchase another object [another palladium chain?].
Invites WW to JH's wedding. Asks him to come early to meet the bride's family.
Recommends G. B. Airy for superintendence of the Nautical Almanac. Expresses hope that Richard Jones's book will be published. Laments lack of recognition given to British scientists.
Is leaving London for many months and would therefore like his name removed from the Council of the Royal Society, and also his Vice-presidency to be terminated. Would like his name removed from the glass sub-committee.