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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 controversy between [George] Bishop and [W. R.] Dawes. Recommends that the R.A.S. publish a paper by Dawes correcting errors in the published work. Wants to purchase some of Francis Baily's books. Mentions RS's work on the standard of length.
Has mislaid RS's letter and forgotten the question RS asked concerning Baily's print. Asks him to refresh his memory. Could not get to the sale [of Francis Baily's books]. Gives the works of Baily that he wants to purchase.
Requests RS to let him know how much JH owes him for the books by Francis Baily, which RS purchased for him. Has received RS's pamphlet [on the Liverpool Observatory].
Put no confidence in [Francesco] DeVico's drawing of the nebula of Orion. JH has a better one now at the engravers. Notes that DeVico has left out the 'real' 6th star in 'Trapezio.'
Reports the birth of JH's 9th child, Mathilda Rose Herschel.
Happy that his Cape Results are nearly finished. After reviewing his work, JH concluded that the amount of error per observation is no more than 30 or 35 seconds.
Urges GA to print any of John Pond's and Nevil Maskelyne's observations that seem free from serious error [see GA's 1844-8-28].
Comments on the large number of stars identified in one square degree of sky.
Skeptical of reports of seeing Jupiter's satellites with the naked eye.
Seeks GA's help to provide information to complete the obituary notice for Francis Baily [see GA's 1844-9-23].
Compliments WS on his Cycle of Celestial Objects. Inquires who instigated the move for reform of the Nautical Almanac.
Tries to obtain equatorial telescope for Cape Observatory. Works only on Cape Results and his children's education. Mentions reforms in southern constellations. Announces birth of seventh daughter [Mathilda Rose].
Whether a repulsive force from the sun affects the tails of comets and thus the constancy of their orbits.
Regarding object glasses for telescopes. Relative merits of Munich and French object glasses.
Thanking him for his Uranography; comments on this.
Inquires about the possibility of holding a Standards Commission meeting on the Royal Observatory's Visitation Day.
Regarding the health of his aunt and other family matters.
Gives his own views regarding 'Argo' and the renaming of the constellations.
Is deeply affected by the news of the death of Francis Baily, and also at the news that he is to receive £1,000 under the terms of the will. Hopes to put it to a use of which Baily would have approved.
Wants to set up a benefit club; for mutual insurance of artisans, etc., and is asking AD for actuarial information.