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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.
Discusses various matters relating to telescopic and to tidal observations. Relays request from William Whewell that TM continue tidal observations.
Wants some rewording in the statement that is to go with the monetary support for John Fairbairn [see JR's 1837-6-6].
About a variety of observations that JH has made.
Donates £25 to fund for John Fairbairn, whose editorial enthusiasm led to Fairbairn's court conviction. Advises JR to frame this support on grounds that cannot be interpreted as challenging court's decision.
Declines to get involved in political or judicial disagreements. JH donated to fund for John Fairbairn solely on grounds of benefits rendered to Cape Colony by Fairbairn's newspaper.
Ideas expressed by JH in his previous letter to CL (see JH's 1836-2-20) about secular variations of isothermal surfaces of the interior of the earth were similar to ideas expressed by Charles Babbage in a paper to the Geological Society. This was drawn to JH's attention by CL and by R. I. Murchison. JH argues that he did not know of Charles Babbage's paper, and goes on to point out how JH's ideas differ. Concludes with mention of having re-discovered the sixth satellite of Saturn, not seen since its discovery by JH's father, William.
Comments on the shooting death in 1835 of Hintsa, leader of the Xhosa people. JH believes that no wrongdoing occurred.
Comments on HS's dealings with native tribal groups and returns a volume of related material.
Expresses regret for not writing earlier. Thanks AQ for meteorological observations. Has complete series of observations from March 1835 to December 1836. Thanks AQ for reports on papers sent. Will depart in early 1838 and requests duplicates of all observations sent: one to England, one to the Cape. Apprises AQ of JH's work on double stars and nebulae.
Feeling very ill. Discusses adjustments to TM's transit instrument.
Asks TM whether he plans to work today.
Not surprised that the measuring rods broke; knew that they were top heavy. Discusses improvements. Very busy. A horse stepped on JH's foot, but no broken bones.