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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.
Returns Robert Peel's letter. JH has not changed opinion. Will not accept office [of R.S.L. president], even for one year.
Asked [Charles Lyell] to communicate JH's response to ES.
Agrees with W. R. Birt on advantages of continuing Kew observatory if B.A.A.S. can afford it. Encloses Birt's letter to JH. Understands difficult financial position of B.A.A.S.
Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that ES and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
Supports proposed course of action to procure for [Francis] Ronalds half of the grant and recognition given to [Charles] Brooke alone for similar photographic invention.
Believes B.A.A.S. should continue to maintain Kew Observatory, but worries about finances. Encloses letter from William R. Birt, whose aid will maintain it for a while.
Believes Kew Observatory will be ineffective if not private observatory of B.A.A.S., so wishes not to attend meeting to draw up application for government support. Approves, however, of committee revising report.
Members of R.S.L. committee to study Kew observatory. Copies of correspondence between ES and W. R. Birt. If Birt is retained, expenses of Kew observatory will exceed money granted by B.A.A.S. Before applying for government assistance, JH and G. B. Airy must agree on plan.
JH may meet with Kew committee in London on 16 June. William Mann will probably replace late T. G. Taylor in Madras. Suggests that W. R. Birt replace Mann at Cape of Good Hope. Position at Kew would not be suitable to Birt.
William Mann's application to replace late T. G. Taylor [at Madras observatory] has been approved by H.E.I.C. B.A.A.S. cannot offer good position at Kew to W. R. Birt. Goals of B.A.A.S. committee to report on Kew observatory. Please return [T. R.] Robinson's account of William Parson's telescope.
Encloses letter to ES from Mr. Hutton.
Meeting of B.A.A.S. committee with JH. JH's report was included with extracts from Francis Ronalds's report.
Deliberations on continuance of Kew Observatory, and ES's willingness to step aside for another member. Successes and failures of B.A.A.S. objectives at Kew and prospective goals for future. Increasing government involvement in science.
R.S.L. selecting foreign members. Asks JH's opinion of a number of foreign scientists and also his opinion of what he, as foreign secretary, should do in this matter.
[S. J. A. Compton,] Lord Northampton will resign as president of R.S.L. ES discusses proposed changes in office of president, and asks JH to consider taking the office under the newly proposed changes.
Sends own article on magnetic surveys at sea. Requests comments. Discusses foreign distribution of star catalogues approved by the council and election of foreign members of R.S.L.
Sorry JH will not undertake R.S.L. presidency. Discusses meteorology and magnetism. [J. D.?] Robinson's instrument works well.
Sends astronomical observations of the Rattlesnake received from Mr. Dayman.
Will correct his contribution to JH's scientific manual. Discusses [Humphrey] Lloyd's apparatus for measurement of total force.
Sorry JH's family has influenza. Encloses letter from [John] Lefroy regarding actinometers.