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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.
Is grateful for JH's letter and offer of assistance. Will come to London earlier than expected so that he can call on him and discuss his problems before foreign travel. Would be glad of an introduction to Mario Gemmellaro and other scientists JH thinks would help him in his studies.
Offers JF advice about the telescope mirror [?] and looks forward to seeing JF on his way to France.
Is drawing up a new actinometer and comments on JF's ideas about it. Encloses a letter to JF's brother.
Pleased to hear JH's work is progressing. Disappointed with Dr. [John] Davy's meteorological observations at Malta. Comments on other scientific news, including recent eclipse, [Andrew] Crosse's controversial artificial crystals at Bristol B.A.A.S. meeting, JF's 1832 observations in Switzerland, and William Whewell's and William Buckland's books.
Discusses prospects for meteorological committee of B.A.A.S., on which they both will serve. Lacks time for it. Does not need hourly observations made by Committee of Physico-Mathematical Society of Edinburgh.
Gives JF permission to use JH's letter to JF's brother in any way JF sees fit to obtain the Chair of Natural Philosophy (at Edinburgh), but still does not wish directly to promote JF's selection. Briefly discusses results of JF's experiments with the actinometer.
Mentions letter from William Whewell sending JF JH's interesting but puzzling meteorological results. Will communicate them to a Dr. [John?] Davy at Malta. Has been busy preparing lectures. Made a short tour in England last summer. G. B. Airy has been awarded the Lalande Medal.
Unable to assist JH's friend Major [Abraham] Cloete as JF was away from home. Comments on results of JH's table and JF's own papers and scientific occupations. B.A.A.S. would welcome JH's ideas for meteorological work. S. D. Poisson has published a new work on heat, in which he attacks J. B. Fourier.
Discusses methods of magnetic observation, JH's actinometric readings in the Cape, and the need for more physical observatories.
In preparation for foreign travel, asks JH about instruments and method for measuring radiation.
Sends thanks and congratulations for paper verifying electric origins of all magnetism. Will give JF an actinometer with complete instructions. Includes some instructions for obtaining and using it. Sends regards to Mario Gemellaro, should JF go to Catania.
Writes 'in haste' to thank JF for a pair of papers. Comments on Louis Daguerre's pictures in Paris.
Suggests that JF use his instruments to compare the force of solar radiation at high and low elevations. Delineates possible methods for this experimentation, and lists results of similar experiments. Includes further information on the actinometer.
Congratulates JF on obtaining, after some difficulty, the Chair of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh. Accepts offer to discuss meteorology with JF's relation Leslie Melville[?], and hopes to mention his actinometer.
Discusses reduction of barometric observations. Praises the Cape's climate.
Wishes JF well in [Edinburgh] and leaves addresses where JH may be reached [at the Cape].
Thanks JF for papers and requests copies of those JH has borrowed; comments on JH's observations on solar heat, light, and lines in spectra.
When they last met, JH had promised to show him some of the wonders of his 20-ft. reflector. Is in town for a few days and would welcome the chance of visiting him.
Is proposing to visit the continent after the Oxford meeting to make observations and intends taking some meteorological instruments. Would like JH's advice on some points regarding the large thermometer filled with a blue liquid.
Regarding JH's actinometers, intends to compare their results when in Switzerland and would be pleased if JH has any determinations on them. Outlines the plan of his experiments. Thinks JH should publish an account of them before JF publishes the results of his experiments. Met L. A. J. Quetelet in Brussels. Intends visiting the Pyrenees.