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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.
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.
Mostly about periodic meteors [see RP's 1836-5-24], which JH observed in November 1835. JH offers some theoretical explanation for such a phenomenon.
Has asked Dr. Andrew Smith, Capt. J. E. Alexander, and their friends for Saturday; hopes JH can join them. Has recognized fifteen of the November cometary stars; they are in Harding's map with one exception. The Ephemeris will require a small correction.
Returns the hourly observations of the last equinox. There will be a meeting of the Institute tomorrow. Has removed the silver lines from the mural circle and replaced them by Bermuda cobwebs. Would like to insert these in JH's micrometer. Has been busy calculating a large table of precessions in R.A. Capt. Alexander should desist from newspaper writing.
Lack of rest prevented him calling this morning, but would like to come this evening and stay the night. Comet did not appear so round last night. There was a terrible wind. Happy with how the wall and the building protected JH's 20-ft reflecting telescope from high winds.
When in Cape Town he heard there was a parcel, probably of books, for JH, so has arranged for it to be delivered. Has had newspapers, etc., from England but not a word about the comet's northern tour. Encloses a copy of Thomas Henderson's Cape Declinations.
Congratulations on the birth of JH's son Alexander. Has a man preparing the old Ramsden Equatorial as the calculations from the repeating circle are so troublesome. Observations of the comet this morning were excellent.
Sends C. P. Smyth with the observing lists of JH's zero stars. Comments on these lists. Would like to see the Cedar Mountains, but cannot spare the time at present. Wished to visit Riebeck's Castle to verify one of N. L. Lacaille's remarks. Did not notice any air bubbles in JH's barometer. The Observatory barometer is similar to the one of Sir John Franklin. Goes to the Block House tomorrow to commence the triangulation.
Mural and transit are at JH's command. Will have pleasure in joining him on Saturday. Has a good supply of balls and will procure some goose shot.
Sends the original of the barometer observations as he cannot spare the time to copy them. Had hoped to have the Brisbane stars ready on Monday. Comet was invisible last night.
Is proceeding at a respectable speed with the Brisbane list. Has received [Andrew?] Smith's box safely. Saw Dr. Smith last night; he is more reconciled. Many thanks for the trees; the ground is suitable to receive them.
Mrs. Maclear is much better and has given birth to a son, their first.
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.
Much obliged for F. W. Bessel's zone. Thinks his own extra meridian observations of the comet will be respectable. Feels sure Fearon Fallows could not have approved of the supports of the dome. Has been promised the pleasure of inspecting the expenses of the Observatory. Captain J. E. Alexander and Dr. John Murray will call this morning for a parting cup of tea.
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.
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.
Charles Lyell was gratified to receive JH's letter, which RM has now perused. Sees that JH has some Trilobites for RM, and he would be pleased to receive them as soon as possible so that he can incorporate the new information into his forthcoming book. Affairs at R.S.L. in a sad way, though useful papers are being printed. About to visit Devon with Adam Sedgwick.
Sends a list of additional stars to be measured for JH to use as standards.