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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.
Received JF's paper on 'thermographic process.' Believes that thermic rays were responsible for experimental results of JF, J. W. Draper, and Ludwig Moser. JH's theory of and experiments with thermic rays, which are different from 'calorific' and visible rays, in solar spectrum.
Writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give JH's opinion about the probable utility of continuing to spend money on Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Tells CB about a visit by JH and Wolryche Whitmore to the Duke [of ?] to present the case for more government funds for Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Impressed by accuracy of actinometer measurements made by JK, Joseph Dayman, and P. A. Scott from Feb. to Sept. 1841 at JK's observatory at Rossbank [Tasmania]. Suggests methods to improve readings and simplify reductions.
A proposal to complete the calculating machine has been made by Charles Babbage, and AH wants JH's opinion of it.
Submit revisions to instructions for conducting and reporting magnetic and meteorological observations.
JH's reasons for requesting three-year extension of magnetic and meteorological survey from British government and H.E.I.C. Preliminary results from global stations.
Is insistent that JH cannot perform the functions of Foreign Secretary [of the R.A.S.] as he has too much to do already, and has had to give up much of his personal scientific correspondence.
Offers to provide committee with plans for and to supervise construction of new instrument, devised by JH, for study of solar spectrum.
Welcomes ER back to England. Met ER's host, Charles Babbage, at Greenwich yesterday. Wants to visit before ER departs for Geneva, but JH's wife is ill. Based on accounts of Geneva by ER's wife, JH sent three oldest daughters and their governess to spend summer there.
Acknowledges JH's payment for stationery for Breslau magnetic observatory.
Sends JH samples of his calotypes. Off to Germany on a photographic expedition.
Carl Steinheil has proposed making telescope mirrors by plating silver on glass. Is writing to JH to tell him that somewhat earlier he had included this process in one of his patents.
Encloses JB's letter [21 Dec. 1841] to Chancellor of Exchequer [H. Goulburn] advocating adoption of metric system. Hopes [members of Standards Commission] will not consider JB obstinate. Admits that JH's opposition to system has advantage of authority and conservatism.
Papers arrived safely. Will report GD's opinion on these soon.
Sees too many difficulties in optics of JH's proposed telescope. Can build mechanical portion, but not by March as JH requires. Cannot give estimate, because design is too novel.
Will begin building components that JH identified as most immediately needed. Confirm scale of JH's drawings. Will send samples of prism glass for JH to inspect. Cannot yet estimate cost.
Does JH plan to publish 'Treatise on Light' in separate form?
Asks whether JH will be prepared to give the committee report on systems of simultaneous magnetical and meteorological observations at the B.A.A.S. meeting on 23 June.
Asks whether JH will be prepared to present the committee report on N. L. Lacaille's stars at the B.A.A.S. meeting on 23 June.