Meeting was not called by the Vice-Chancellor, so powers of the Syndicate are now at an end. Gives news of events at the University. Has had letter from J. B. Biot, who is to give a series of lectures on Newton's Principia.
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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.
Meeting was not called by the Vice-Chancellor, so powers of the Syndicate are now at an end. Gives news of events at the University. Has had letter from J. B. Biot, who is to give a series of lectures on Newton's Principia.
Observer for the forthcoming observatory is to be the Plumian Professor. Gives news of other professorships and gives opinion of JH's chances should he apply for any.
Requesting support for Adam Sedgwick in the forthcoming election for the Woodwardian Lectureship. Has been unwell himself.
Comments on the candidates and the process for filling the Woodwardian Lectureship at Cambridge; also some other Cambridge University matters.
Making arrangements for a visit to JH at Slough.
Asks JH to write a letter of recommendation for a mutual friend, and adds some Cambridge news.
About Charles Babbage's hopes for a position, and joint publication ventures.
About the joint publication of JH, GP, and Charles Babbage, and Babbage not doing his part.
Arrangements about a visit to Slough.
Chemical news: decomposition of 'sulphuret of carbon' by J. J. Berzelius and Alexander Marcet. Analysis of 'azotane' and discovery of 'iode' by Humphry Davy. Congratulations on results of CB's examination.
Feigned reproach for CB's return to 'the Analytics.' Inquires about CB's 'Devonshire Ghost at Chudleigh.' Results of JH's chemistry experiments. Derides scientists who promote theory of 'akasch' as the one and only form of matter. Met Alexander Marcet in Greenwich.
Gratitude for CB's friendship. Chemical supplies and instruments. Describes synthesis of 'Sulphurane' [S2Cl2] and other experiments. Theories of combustion and acids. [Letter continued on 1813-9-21:] JH avidly studying law, against father's wishes.
CB has founded 'a calculus totally new and immensely powerful.'
Attending E. D. Clarke's mineralogy lectures. JH's analysis of dioptase.
Welcome back to London. Explain CB's demonstration of 'theorem in transcendental arithmetic.' JH's observations of 'new acid' [hyposulfurous] and optical phenomena in 'chrystals of nitre.'
Cannot meet CB in London this week. Has verified composition of [hyposulfurous] acid. Encloses crystal of 'sulpho=sulphite of lime.'
Fifth [1817] edition of Thomas Thomson's System of Chemistry shows previous discovery of JH's 'new acid,' but its reported composition is wrong.
Made apparatus for showing rings between 'two Tourmalines.' JH's process for making hyposulfurous acid. Praises W. H. Wollaston's analysis of CB's 'Tonquinate.'
Sent JH's paper on mother-of-pearl and paper on hyposulfurous acid to David Brewster. Tell Brewster of JH's discovery of optical structure in crystals of bicarbonate of potash. Would Brewster accept paper from JH enlarging the definition of crystals?
Mr. Murray will bring to DB two papers by JH, one on hyposulfurous acid and one on mathematical analysis, plus requested abstract of JH's and William Herschel's 'last papers' in R.S.P.T.