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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.
Encourages GA to consider favorably the offer of Hugh Percy [Duke of Northumberland] of donating a telescope to Cambridge Observatory.
Preparation to go to Madeira for health reasons.
Pleased to hear of JH's success with his application to the Treasury. Would like a statement from him on the nature of his communication to the Cambridge meeting concerning the actinometer. Hopes he is not too busy preparing for his voyage.
Has written two letters from the Cape. Arrived three days ago. Will shortly proceed to Edinburgh. Has left the barometer on the ship. Compared this barometer with the one at St. Helena.
Hears that Thomas Henderson is in town and thinks of bringing him down to Slough. Intends to take some iron bedsteads to the Cape; can JH advise him where they may be obtained?
Has been residing with [Robert?] Lee at Hartwell for a few days. Hears that JH and Benjamin D'Urban will be travelling to the Cape on the Elphinstone; is this true?
Hopes that JH will accept a copy of JN's work [on the history of astronomy]. Wishes JH all success in his forthcoming mission [to the Cape].
JH has written to James South again [see JH's 1833-7-8] but has received no answer; is suggesting that it may well be that [R. A.] Cauchoix, the French optician, can supply object glasses as good as those James South has.
Agrees with JH to go direct to the French optician [see JH's 1833-8-9] for a large object glass; HP will provide a telescope with such a lens if G. B. Airy agrees such a large telescope is appropriate to Cambridge Observatory.
A note along with letters from R. A. Cauchoix, the telescope maker, and [J. C. Spencer,] Lord Althorp, about the B.A.A.S.; JH is trying to clean up observation reports before leaving for the Cape.
Received £500 from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) for reduction under the direction of G. B. Airy of earlier planetary observations. Althorp conferred with Lord Grey. Conjectures possible need of a larger grant.
Further about the telescope to be donated by Hugh Percy [see JH's 1833-8-15], along with a promise that JH will write to R. A. Cauchoix about the telescope.
Sends letter from 'chronometer expedition' in Baltic Sea under the leadership of [T. F.] Schubert and supported by the Prussian, Danish, and Swedish governments. Mentions talk written for a larger audience in French publication. Envies JH's opportunity to observe the southern hemisphere.
Wishes JH well on his upcoming trip to the Cape of Good Hope. Asks JH to study the lower part of the Scorpion, for William Herschel was mystified by the 'uncommon appearance of that part of the heavens.' [Written as a postscript to a letter by Margaret Herschel.]
Copy of letter to Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland) stating that the Duke's offer of a refracting telescope of great power, to Cambridge Observatory would be a valuable gift. To JH: Remarks on gift of telescope, planet reduction money, and on his geological exploration of the Charnwood Forest.
Has visited Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland) at Buxton, who suggests that JH approaches R. A. Cauchoix for the glass for the new telescope.
Has received a note from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) stating that a grant of £500 is available for them [R.A.S.?]. He has acknowledged it.
Business matters calls him to London and would be happy to make his acquaintance. Will visit Slough if necessary.
Has just arrived in London and will proceed to Slough tomorrow in the company of William Lassell.
Invites CW to Slough to demonstrate CW's 'elegant experiments on light & sound.' Will need time to get JH's electric machine in order. Asks for copy of CW's paper on Jew's harp.