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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.
Was not certain how to reply to his last obliging letter. Has resolved to write to Professor [J. P.?] Müller. Thought it right to inform JH of his plans.
Would like JH's account of his own method of fixing a photograph as noted in his memoir. Singular phenomenon of the Daguerreotype. Hopes to produce a photographic paper to equal the silver plate before the month has expired. Will let him know when his process is complete.
Exchanging further information on several aspects of the photographic process [see RH's 1840-4-15].
Is grateful for the handsome manner in which JH has acknowledged RH's work. Would be willing to prepare a memoir for the R.S.L. Does Louis Daguerre's patent affect RH's manufacture of photographic papers? Has not studied the bromnets so far, but has studied the effects of bromine on plates. Comments on his results.
Indicates travel plans, including a visit to FB, with a side trip for business to Slough. JH comments on some astronomical observations he has received.
Apologizes for his long silence. Outlines recent events at the Cape concerning Andries Stockenström, who has been replaced by J. Hare, and Major C. C. Michell, who has resigned. J. R. Innes has been all over the Colony and will shortly be coming to England. F. M. Eardley-Wilmot has dined with the Napiers.
Sends JH a pamphlet about meteorological observations in India.
Waxes lyrical about nature, and comments on a new 'positive' paper JH has sent. Refers to JH's move to Hawkhurst.
JH is preparing to leave residence at Slough, and all notes on William Herschel's life are packed away. Refers [?] to published biographies, but adds some corrections to those.
Asks JH's advice in establishing new astronomical, meteorological, and magnetic observatory at Harvard University. Describes instruments already owned and those ordered from Europe.
Hopes [Humphrey] Lloyd will reconsider V.F. Magnetometer based on JH's remarks. Discusses Canadian observatories. States who will perform U. S. magnetic survey. Discusses micrometer use.
Discusses Charles Riddell's desire to serve at a North American observatory and the expenses involved.
Suggests a book of expenses be kept at the R.S.L.
Discusses plans for a U.S. magnetic observatory and of [Karl] Kreil's paper about predicting earthquakes. Discusses the affairs of other observatories.
Has received materials from [A. D.] Bache indicating that the U.S. government has proposed to establish 5 magnetic observatories.
Writes of a magnetic survey of a portion of India and the inaccuracy of the equipment used in magnetic observations at sea.
Thanks for 'small, but intense' volume sent.
Thanks RS for all the trouble he took with the problem of his portrait. Is anxious to see the specimens of the engraved nebulae of which RS spoke, but confesses little hope in photographic 'reverses' of pencil drawings. Has installed his family at Collingwood.
Packing up the 7-ft. and 10-ft. reflecting telescopes for their trip to Collingwood in Hawkhurst in Kent, JH's new home.
Hopes that his paper does not anticipate any of RH's work; will share with the R.S.L. any of RH's results. Laments that he is unable to fix the spectral colors on photographic paper. Asks if RH has studied the bromines.