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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.
Has returned the drawings to [Andrew?] Smith not having received carte blanche to look at them. Bent one of the thick wires of the micrometer when taking out the plate, so has inserted another. The micrometer will be ready tomorrow. Clean Bermuda webs and two silver wires of 6" diameter.
Encloses the list in JH's own handwriting. Has placed two silver wires in the eye piece of the micrometer. Will JH secure him some cobweb for placing in the micrometer.
The flood has done much mischief to his baseline; there are still some holes to be filled in. Has written to Col. G. G. Lewis. Hopes to see JH at breakfast on Thursday.
Proceedings with the Circle went on as well as expected; fixed the additional microscopes with plaster of paris. Sends the P.M.that contains F. W. Bessel's paper on the repeating circle. Opposition of Mars will require the use of the circle in the last of the present month.
Thinks Monday 2 Jan. a suitable day for taking down the Circle. Has engaged J. K. Gibbs the carpenter for the coming quarter. No official notice has been taken of his Colonial Measure of Reference.
From a newspaper received today sees that John Pond is dead and buried. Affair of James South and Edward Troughton and William Simms is as before. Sends the observations of the 21st; rain was not good for astronomical observations. Comments on these readings.
Has succeeded in fixing an 18 pounder gun firmly in the ground to mark the western termination of the base-line query on how to measure the meridian of a mountain at sea level. Has requested permission from the Governor to inspect the military orders for 1751-2.
Feels uneasy giving response to members of expedition into interior, who requested government instruments, until TM hears from Admiral [Frederick] Warren and judges expedition's chances for success. Asks JH's opinion.
Asks TM for some trigonometric information regarding a particular set of points.
JH is frustrated with his inaccurate barometric readings.
Property of Royal Observatory will be extended.
Went to meteorite site in Bokkeveld, interviewed witnesses. Describes site in detail.
Check proofs, including first announcement of JH's 'Planetary Nebulae.' Instrument inconsistencies produce immense labor for TM and C. P. Smyth. Tempted to omit one-third of readings. Praises Smyth; happy to be rid of William Meadows. Speculates on causes of TM's and JH's headaches. Will propose that Fearon Fallows's observations be published.
Problems determining exact times of lunar eclipses. Cites B.A.A.S.Rep. article by T. R. Robinson on change of color. Base line covered by water after recent storm.
Compares TM's observations of 'spots' and colors [on lunar surface] to observations by others. At next eclipse, TM will use drawing of moon's face with spots labeled on it. Did JH note occultation? Chronometer is slow.
Found comet in Scorpio this morning. Gives map and description. Something wrong with reflector. 'Paarl expenses.' Describes puff adder captured by Dr. Guerd. Glad that Stone is doing well.
Problems observing Halley's Comet. Sends first batch of TM's reduction of Thomas Brisbane's stars. Does JH approve J. C. Adamson's and J. R. Innes's offer to help calculate and tabulate Expedition data? Francis Baily's proposal to rename constellations. Renegotiating price for repairs on equatorial. Describes dream resulting from reading Baily's life of John Flamsteed.
Observation of Halley's Comet. Sends servant to pick up information on star 'Constants.'
Letters from W. H. Smyth. Notes on Halley's Comet and possible planet sighting.
Observations of 'Comet stars.' Sends original 'Transit book.' Take care of it.