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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.
Sends the list of comet stars; the constants will be computed at the Observatory and will send a copy. Encloses letters from [W. H.] Smyth and others. Lead is being removed from the roof of the lantern.
Intends to dispatch the packet to the Admiralty in a few days and await Francis Beaufort's instructions regarding the printing. TM's son would be grateful for the Herschels' gift could he express thanks himself. Would like the loan of the actinometer. Sends the dome observations.
Returns copies of the Comet observations and the formula for parallax and refraction. The 21st was a busy circle day. The mural circle is in better trim than ever. Sends a chronometer.
Barometer is swinging without encountering any accident. Believes there is to be a new clergyman at Rondebosch, the old Observatory housekeeper, John Fry, shortly to land from England. Hopes he is more adept at sermons than he was arranging the catalogue of instruments.
Encloses the sweeps for June 1836, which JH lent him. Not a word about printing, or the Tide gauge in the letters he received. Will forward the letters from G. B. Airy and Francis Baily. Thomas Henderson is about to be married. Cannot procure white deal without knots. Will try an old mast.
Reports on JH's actinometer observations. Explains why he subscribed to 'Col. [Harry] Smith's piece of plate.'
Thanks for the perusal of J. A. Lloyd's paper. Has written to him on the subject of the pendulum. Had only one letter from the Elizabeth. No satisfactory news of [Andrew?] Smith's expedition. Unable to make any circumpolar observations due to the deviation of the transit instrument.
Cornerstone and tree answer admirably. Gives the points in the present triangulation. Lieut. John Williams of the Engineers has promised assistance. There is a French frigate in the harbor, which he intends to visit.
Definition at the Observatory last night was abominable; therefore no comparisons can be made between the stations. Much obliged for the details of the actinometer. Will call on JH later.
JH's letter is curious regarding the planetary nebulae. Intended to ride over this morning but the heat was too great. Encloses estimate for printing the observations; comments on this. Would like to send it to Francis Beaufort on Tuesday. Returns some papers and journals. C. P. Smyth will call today.
C. P. Smyth will deliver the micrometer series JH lent him for examining the values of the transit level scale; comments on this. Had another peep at the stars JH mentioned and still finds Argus larger than Rigel. The tent fills Mrs. De Witt's yard. She is a friend and correspondent of Charles Grant (Baron Glenelg).
Regrets having to send the observations on so many sheets; those in red ink will be re-observed. John Steuart has given him a note about spots on the sun. Sends Mr. Stebbing's letter and would like JH's comments when he sees him.
Intended to ride over today, but urgent mail from England claimed his attention. No news from the Admiralty. No news of the tide machine. The tripods are finished. Gathers that the Bonita cannot perform all D. F. J. Arago wished.
Received the enclosed communications by the steamer. Can JH send him a list of unobserved comet stars? Work on N. L. Lacaille's Observatory gives satisfaction. Regarding Capt. Mackonochee. Lacaille's angular measurements are not above suspicion. Observed the two rings of Saturn distinctly.
Will call on JH tomorrow as he intends visiting Simon's Bay. Is taking a proof sheet to Cape Town. There appears to be a great discrepancy between the Captain's statement and N. L. Lacaille's station. The latter's station at Rubeck Castel remains perfect.
The examination of the standard deal rod was commenced yesterday. Comments on the procedure and gives readings. The base line was levelled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and he is now ready to measure it. Would like JH to be present if possible when he measures it. Had 25 visitors in one morning recently.
Weather was so unpromising that he sent off the men who were to repair the ravages to the base line levelings. Will JH therefore come on Wednesday instead of Monday provided the weather remains fine. Sorry he missed JH's request for barometric comparisons.
Had an unfortunate accident with the rods yesterday; one was smashed by the force of the wind. Intends to stake the whole line before the actual measurement takes place. Will calculate JH's Brisbane stars.
Sends the observations of the 21st copied by his daughter Mary. The leak in the center room has been repaired. Comments on JH's plan for measuring the base line. The Brisbane stars are nearly finished.
Discusses various matters relating to telescopic and to tidal observations. Relays request from William Whewell that TM continue tidal observations.