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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.
JT's paper on polarization of sky light suggests that neutral points are functions of cloud density. This verifies JH's earlier explanation of blue sky color. Incomplete polarization. Cause of blue color in water. Corrects note on W. A. Miller's observations of rainbows.
Hopes HF and his wife can join the Herschels for lunch with [P. F.] Robertson at Collingwood. Gives information on transportation.
Has received HT's pamphlet on crime and its prevention and punishment. Praises it and questions some particulars.
Asks WT whether WT made a certain claim about the spectrum of strontium. Recounts observations of the strontium spectrum made by JH in 1822.
Attempts to clear up a misstatement made before the Society by J. C. Dyer concerning JH's views in regard to optics, especially in relation to the luminiferous ether.
Discusses the action of hyposulphite of ammonia on muriate of silver. Gives directions for preparing hyposulfite of silver.
There having been reports of changes in the nebula around Eta Argus, JH sends the R.A.S. a letter from JH's son John [see JH's son's 1868-11-23] reporting his observations of that object. JH adds his comments.
About arrangements for JH's return home, together with information about paying bills and the state of JH's finances.
Comments on the bad habits creeping into the language of the German Academies. Sends list of papers and also a transcript of GE's paper for the Astronomische Nachrichten.
Has heard from Emma, son William's wife, that the solar eclipse will occur in the rainy season, and thus will not likely be visible [see JH's 1867-9-29]; JH is wondering if the equipment from the R.S.L. arrived safely.
Speaks of the awkwardness of some telescopic instruments, but urges son John to persevere; comments favorably on daughter Amelia's prospective husband, Thomas Wade, and comments disparagingly about the government's introduction of a metrication bill.
Comments on son John's spectroscopic and telescopic observations, and encourages observing a particular nebula, as it has been reported as having changed shape since JH observed it in the 1830's.
Is anxiously awaiting details of son John's observations of the solar eclipse in India; JH sends details of sunspots observed by JH on 18 Aug., and concludes with family news.