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 appointed Apothecary General. His own wife's health has not been good. Hopes all is well at Collingwood. What is he doing about William? Comments on the field open to chemistry students.
Has signed the certificate, and stated that FG is known to him.
Sends £5 note. This is all he can spare. Has no recollection of ever meeting him and their relationship is very remote. Wishes a speedy improvement in his prospects.
Is searching for a Robert Georg Twaddel; asks JH whether he knows anything of him.
Has received JH's letter from Gassiot and submitted it to the committee dealing with members of the Philosophical Club.
Has been investigating the Cavendish experiments recently repeated by Francis Baily. Thinks G. B. Airy has neglected the resistance of the air in his mathematical theory. Would like to send an abstract of his investigations so that JH can judge their merits.
Is grateful for his letter on the Cavendish experiment. Gives outline of his own theories regarding certain aspects of the Cavendish experiments, and would like his opinion on these before they are incorporated into a paper.
Sends his manuscripts. Discusses some of Michael Faraday's experiments, in particular his theory on the non-magnetism of blood. Has sent Faraday a paper on the action of voltaic currents.
Thanks for prompt reply. Does know something about blood and circulation, but may not have expressed himself clearly. Thinks Michael Faraday has made important discoveries in magnetism and electricity.
Is little conversant in physiology so is unable to discuss GH's theories. Suggests some alterations to the text of the article.
Agrees wholeheartedly with JH's recommendation for his paper. Will rewrite it if necessary. Hopes JH will produce a second edition of his work on finite differences.
Discovered a telescopic comet in Cepheus. Gives readings.
Has discovered another member of the group of planets between Mars and Jupiter. Gives readings. May be the lost planet of Niccolo Cacciatore.
Obviously a ring of planets is being discovered. Congratulations on the discovery. Is the reading based on one night's observations only? Gives it a female name, possibly Iris.
Giving the details of his planetary discovery. Likes JH's name, but several more have been suggested. K. L. Hencke may have observed the new planet, but sees no reason why it should not have an English name.
Has discovered another new planet [Flora]. Gives readings.
Thanks for the neat name and symbol he has given to the new planet; thinks H. C. Schumacher has read Hora for Flora. The next one will have to be called Thetis as so many have suggested that name.
Sends his first approximation of the elements of the asteroid Flora.
The Professor of Botany at the Royal Dublin Society has died. Would like to propose their friend W. H. Harvey for the position. Would JH write a letter of commendation to the Society?
Has been requested by George Eden (1st Earl of Auckland) to contribute the botanical section to the manual to which JH alludes. Comments on this and the requirements for a manual of this type.