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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 received a letter from Sir George Lewis stating that he has been appointed to the chair of Practical Astronomy at Glasgow University. Is grateful for his support.
Reports on a meeting of the R.A.S., mostly talking about sun spots.
Recommending J. D. Forbes as a suitable person for the appointment of Principal at the University of St. Andrews.
Sends a small fragment chipped from the second great bell. Comments on the metal of the bell and the causes of the cracks. Unable to attend the R.S.L. dinner tomorrow.
The yellow substance turns out to be pentasulfide of arsenic, with a slight excess of sulfur; comments on its properties.
Responds to [?]'s 21 Oct. 1859 letter to John Phillips expressing Prince Albert's interest in the impact that proposed B.A.A.S. magnetic and meteorological observations will have on Treasury funds.
Comments about reflective power of metals.
Further comments on subject of GS's 1859-11-10; comments on several experiments involving light and color.
Partial repeat of letter of 1859-11-10, together with some considerations about the molecular behavior producing fluorescence.
Sending CD's new book, The Origin of Species. Acknowledges CD's deep obligation to JH's Prelim. Discourse. 'Scarcely anything in my life made so deep an impression on me....'
Thanks for several papers; JH describes article on telescopes he has prepared for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Regarding JH's question about formulae for intensities of reflected light, BP encloses a paper concerning G. G. Stokes's conclusions about the direction of the plane of vibrations.
Would be glad to accompany JH to Kew to see instruments.
Will accompany ES to Kew Observatory. Serving as legatee for the recently deceased Elizabeth Baily, sister of Francis Baily.
Will travel to Kew Tuesday. Encloses answer to Duke of Newcastle regarding proposal for colonies. Welcomes any comments from JH.
Encloses letter from Colonial Office to R.S.L., which was referred to ES because [B. C.] Brodie was out of town. Brodie hopes to see JH when JH comes to London.
Reluctant to recommend undertaking major scientific projects in colonies at government expense. Believes situation there will work itself out.
Discusses [Angelo] Secchi's letter. Can supply the Jesuits in Cuba with magnetic apparatus they need. Discusses Secchi's views on cause of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Must postpone meeting at Kew Observatory because of a severe cold. Asks JH to choose a later date.
Explains and encloses abstract of paper on action of magnetic oxides under various conditions. Discusses their purifying influence on water.