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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.
Has been pursuing his magnetic experiments with crystals and will be publishing a memoir on them. Comments on these experiment. Is there a difference in the mass of the earth at the poles?
Continues JH's defense of Laplace's writings on probabilities [see JH's 1845-12-22].
A note to accompany a working out in convenient form an example of Laplace's probability ideas. [Enclosure not found.]
JH's second letter has convinced him. Has now written a new conclusion to the chapter showing the principles of P. S. Laplace in a new light. Does not think Laplace's example is a fair type. Has already rewritten the chapter on the Doctrine of Chances.
Giving days on which the Council could be called. Who shall be president of Section 'A'. Could JH think of suitable persons for Chairmen and Secretaries? Sir J. Richardson is on the spot and will be president of the zoologists.
Sending a German translation of an unfinished work of HO. Regrets that so few people can read the Danish language. Is grateful for JH's papers.
Compliments of JH and his wife.
A note to arrange a meeting to discuss the propriety of continuing the Kew Observatory.
Looks to reap fruits of observations. AQ's treatise on atmospheric waves has not arrived. R.S.L. has refused to 'receive and retain works communicated through them.'
Suggests dates for upcoming B.A.A.S. meeting that will allow time to get report on Kew Observatory and committee meeting.
Approves date of B.A.A.S. meeting. Will consult with [Charles?] Wheatstone about date of Kew committee meeting.
Probably cannot attend Kew meeting after 10th; has suggested 6th or 7th. Wishes to invite Michael Faraday as 'Physical Chair,' but knows of Faraday's poor health.
Does not possess enough knowledge of F. W. Bessel's writing to compose more than a brief obituary on him. Would like RS to help [A. B.] Orlebar of the Bombay Observatory by providing a corresponding observation of the occultation of alpha Virginis on 19 January.
Reports that Biela's Comet split into two comets; JH has observed it several times. 30-40 pages of JH's Cape Results have been printed.
Suggests method to check the effectiveness of James Dunlop's work at Paramatta Obsrvatory..
[Written as a family letter.] JH has corrected the first proof sheet of his Cape Results. Reports that Biela's Comet has been found to be a double comet.
Describes conditions and instruments at Edinburgh Observatory. Observatory assistant Alexander Wallace works on reduction of Thomas Henderson's transit observations.
Sends copy of James Graham's letter concerning transfer of Paramatta Observatory to government authority. Thanks JH for advice on the matter. Discusses methods of magnitude estimation.
Believes Beta Ursae Minoris to be a slow variable star. Remarks on diminution of the star's brightness between 1840 and 1841.
Receives report on poor state of Paramatta Observatory. Encloses letter from Thomas Brisbane, who believes James Dunlop should be removed from his post of authority there.