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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 had four men working on the Dome to complete it before the bad weather. Has not heard who has been appointed to Madras. The candidate from the Cape is in financial difficulties. Tide reductions are progressing. Outlines the disturbances caused by the expected arrival of the convicts.
Sends observations made with the nine-foot equatorial, with comments. Received JH's Astronomy and the Logs. of Charles Babbage; the latter aroused protests in the family. [Archibald] Robertson sold five copies of the Astronomy instantly and has ordered further copies.
Has had some splendid evenings, and sends the observations made. Comments on the work of the new equatorial. W. R. Dawes would like to compare the measures of Antares with the enclosed. Admiral Reynolds is being succeeded by Commodore Christopher Wyvill, a queer person. Sends Cape newspapers to show events in the convict question. All public servants are to be deprived of food, etc.
Encloses star observations. Comments on his instrumental system. Cannot find the rule for position when two stars are of equal magnitude. Neptune with the convicts is anchored in Simon's Bay, awaiting the answer from H. G. Grey (3rd Earl Grey).
Sends copies of his own papers and would be pleased to receive any of JH's in exchange. Is a candidate for the R.S.L. and would welcome JH's support in any way. Curious phenomenon seen on the surface of the moon in the Lake District.
Very kind of JH to agree to sign JM's certificate. Has written to C. R. Weld to forward the certificate to JH, if this is allowable. Will be pleased to receive copies of any astronomical papers JH has for disposal.
Tells GA about the internal counterpoise system in use in some German telescope mountings, and includes a diagram; JH knows nothing about chilling speculum metal [see GA's 1849-3-7].
Admiralty Manual is now published and an early copy has been sent by post. Remaining copies will be sent later. Regarding the distribution of other copies, can JH assist with some of the addresses?
Sends the proof of the lithograph from the Daguerreotype for JH's comments and additions.
Has been wandering over Europe for the last two years and has only just heard of JH's gift of his Cape Results. Is grateful for the gift and the memories it invokes. Comments on the present political scene at the Cape.
Has not heard from him for a long time or his letter was not delivered and the unrest in Europe has not encouraged him to write letters. Sends articles, also part of a book, which he has been trying to get published by an English publisher. Would like the advice of JH on this effort.
Thanks for promise of kind intervention on his behalf, but he believes that JH would not advise him to publish the work in England. Thinks it would be more welcome in Germany. Would like comments and corrections.
Thanks for the trouble that JH has taken in searching for a publisher for HO's work upon the natural philosophy of beauty. [Ludwig] Colding, Inspector of Waterworks, Copenhagen, who is coming to England, will collect the manuscript from JH. Direct them to 70 Old Bond St.
Has never seen the great nebula of Andromeda satisfactorily resolved; comments on this and gives some of his observations. Will be going to Brighton and then take his family to London for Easter.
Examined the nebula of Andromeda the night before last with his three-foot instrument. Comments on his observations and the sketch made by [W. C.?] Bond. Would require several good nights to make a sketch of value.
Is looking forward to receiving a copy of JH's Outlines Astr.; describes an aurora AP had seen at Alnwick Castle.
Gratitude for AK's services as executor for affairs of Caroline L. Herschel. Did not receive AK's Sept. 1848 letter. Give remaining money to [Caroline's servant] Betty, whose pending marriage surprised JH. Thank AK's mother for her letter of 3 Sept. to JH. Happy that AK's brother Georg returned safely from war in Holstein with honors. Hopes peace comes to Europe soon.
Efforts by Duncan Stewart to provide new career for brother Peter Stewart, whose mischief created economic ruin, left Duncan Stewart in difficult financial situation. JH is willing to relinquish EM's appointment to Haileybury College for JH's son John and to seek position for John at [Royal Military Academy,] Woolwich, if EM would transfer recommendation to Haileybury from JH's son John to Duncan Stewart's second son.
Learned of John Gorrie's mechanical ice-making method. Asks CM to send letter to JH recounting conversation of 11 Feb. 1848 in which JH told CM about JH's theory for making ice by compressing air. JH does not want to interfere with Gorrie's claim, but will submit CM's letter to Athenaeum and put on record, for sake of 'scientific history,' that JH was 'certain' that such a principle would work. Condolences for death of CM's partner.
Recommends Edward Sabine's work on terrestrial magnetism for Royal Physical Medal, and joint award of Copley Medal to WP and William Lassell for improvements in reflecting telescopes.