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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.
Hears that JH is using his influence to obtain a transit circle for the Cape. Hopes the application will be successful. Comments on the siting of the instruments. Cape politics are deplorable. Kaffir war still continues and appears likely to be expensive.
Has recommended [Andrew] Bain use JH's patronage to present the geological map of South Africa to the Geological Society. Comments on Bain's visit. Affairs have not improved in Kaffir Land.
Now forwards [Andrew] Bain's Geological map, which had been delayed by the Agent. Has heard nothing definite regarding the transit circle but would appreciate JH's recommendation, together with those of Francis Beaufort and G. B. Airy. Gives details of the work at the Observatory. Estimates the cost of mounting the transit circle.
Is sending JH a book recounting some of CM's researches. Comments on various factors influencing conductance in carrying out experiments in electricity and telegraphy. [Letter illegible in parts.]
Is thinking of erecting an observatory and would welcome JH's advice on telescopes and object-glasses, particularly those of William Simms.
Questions a statement in JH's Outlines Astr. regarding the light of Sirius. Also repeated in Alexander von Humboldt's Cosmos.
More about the arrangements for the pension for Mary Maclear [see HP's 1850-12-2].
Still more on the pension for Mary Maclear [see HP's 1851-2-19].
Suggests change in procedure for 'applicants' to Royal Mint.
Landed estates held in common by Company of Moneyers may affect their claims to compensation.
JH received request for employment from workman employed by JA. Forwards this to JA.
Does not yet have word from government regarding claims for compensation made by Company of Moneyers.
Assurance that JH's lack of response is due not to discourtesy but to lack of information.
Mint must resume gold coinage and needs to take possession of Moneyers' equipment quickly. This will relieve Moneyers of additional responsibility.
Accuses JA and Moneyers of ignoring agreement by refusing to vacate rooms and relinquish tools at Mint, and of purposely slowing down Mint officers' preparation to resume coining money. [Memorandum on verso: Edward Enfield and H. D. Harness were present at time of agreement.]
Curiosity about quill-like 'pen' sent to JH's son John by MB. Glad that MB moved to Brighton for medical care.
Assures HB that transitional state of Assay department will soon be replaced by more permanent conditions.
Changes offer that JH made to HB in note to H. D. Harness.
JH cannot give definite date for HB's termination in Assay Office. This will be delayed for as long as gold is being imported for coinage.
Regrets abolition of Assay office. Will transmit to Treasury HB's letter claiming compensation, but JH feels HB should provide more precise information. HB misunderstood purpose of JH's letter.