Remembers [wedding] anniversary.
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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.
Remembers [wedding] anniversary.
JH and son William arrived safely. H. C. Schumacher is out of town but JH will visit Altona anyway. Son William's reactions to travel. JH tried unsuccessfully to understand Immanuel Kant and J. G. Fichte during voyage.
Fatiguing trip from Hamburg. Mr. Groskopff is 'preparing' aunt Caroline for arrival of JH and son William. Comments on German philosophers whom JH is reading on trip. Visit with Caroline Herschel. Miss Beckedorff is out of town. Architecture and language of Hanover. Groskopffs named their country home 'Slough' near Hameln.
JH and son William made surprise visit to aunt Caroline Herschel. Mrs. Beckedorff is recovering from long illness. All Detmering family, who resided at Cumberland Lodge, are dead except Mrs. Detmering. Dr. Groskopff reports that Caroline, age 89, can still 'put her foot behind her back and scratch her ear in imitation of a dog.'
Hot temperatures killed all fish in rivers and moats of Hanover. JH's and son William's journey from Hanover through Ammensen to Göttingen. Describes outdated architecture, poor agricultural practices, and sad plight of peasant women. Attended church in Göttingen then visited C. F. Gauss at observatory. J. F. Blumenbach was too ill to receive JH and Gauss.
Received three letters from MH. Hopes 'awful visitation' left no permanent effect on MH. JH is not impressed by German philosophers. Journey to Hameln to meet JH's cousins Mrs. Groskopff and Mrs. Knipping. Describes country. Visit to Pyrmont and Lackern. Visited aunt Caroline Herschel and Mrs. and Miss Beckedorff in Hanover. Convinced Madame Witte to build third moon model that JH will give to F. L. Chantrey. News of son William Herschel. Composes two hymns. Departure from Hamburg delayed; may miss H. W. M. Olbers in Bremen.
Reports on persons and meetings at B.A.A.S. Elected officers for 1839 today. Charles Babbage gave up his office of trustee in disgust. JH dislikes speaking in public.
Seems to be commenting on someone's wonderful work, and describing some of SP's travels. [Letter almost totally illegible.]
Concerned that JH has not received 'Cape papers' sent with FB's letter. Estimates not yet called for. FB will see that Cape [necessities?] are not forgotten. When will JH present R.S.L. recommendation of 'the Expedition'? That would be good opportunity to 'fire another shot' at Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot] or Mr. Wood.
Forwarded JH's letter to Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot]. John Russell sent Antarctic resolution of B.A.A.S. to Minto at Admiralty six weeks ago. Glad that JH finds Lord Melbourne [William Lamb] favorable to this enterprise.
Lists 11 British cities with active Chambers of Commerce and two societies that might come 'within the Spirit of our resolution.' Will make further inquiries.
Prime minister Lord Melbourne [William Lamb] will receive JH's deputation and Chancellor of Exchequer [Thomas Spring-Rice] whenever convenient.
Asks JH for assistance in obtaining financial aid and new instruments from English government in support of meteorological observatory in British Guiana, where JL's son is stationed. Can JH suggest employment opportunities as astronomer in U.K. for JL's son?
Will meet with B.A.A.S. committee after WL returns to London.
[Marked 'Private.'] Will meet with JH next month. Will assist B.A.A.S. in research on terrestrial magnetism, but is not convinced that global expedition is most effective way; perhaps current survey teams could perform as well. Compares relative costs.
Invites JH to join committee to replace standards of weight and measure destroyed in 1834 Parliament fire. Happy that JH returned safely to England.
Putting pressure on Lord Melbourne [William Lamb] regarding Antarctic expedition. Asked Melbourne to communicate with J. W. Lubbock, who is in London, instead of with JH.
Forwards to JH letters sent by Humphrey Lloyd and G. B. Airy to William Whewell. Concurs with Lloyd's recommendations [for Canada survey] and with Airy's suggestion of photographic registers to determine simultaneity of distant observations. [JH note: Routing list for letter among committee members.]
B.A.A.S. requests that JH head a committee to work on the reduction of observations of N. L. Lacaille's stars. G. B. Airy and Thomas Henderson will also be assigned to the committee.
Asks JH to compile list of questions to be sent to 'commercial bodies' regarding prospective changes in standards of weights and measures. To be presented at June 1838 meeting of Commission of Standards [see JH's 1838-5-24].