Asks the Physical Committee (Chair, JH) of the R.S.L. to note the concurrent disturbances of magnetometers and the appearance of aurora borealis, and to make a long term study of this relationship.
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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.
Asks the Physical Committee (Chair, JH) of the R.S.L. to note the concurrent disturbances of magnetometers and the appearance of aurora borealis, and to make a long term study of this relationship.
GG's book [Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in the North-West and Western Australia, 2 vols. (London: Boone, 1841)] is creating a sensation in London. Pleased to learn from it of the range of mountains named after JH. Hopes GG will carry out some study into the Aboriginal dialects. Standards of weight and measure should be sent to all Colonies. Important to have a magnetic survey of all colonized and colonizable parts of Australia.
Points out an error in the instructions for magnetic observers provided for the Antarctic expedition.
Sends some extracts from the Acts. Regarding the enforcement of the rates. To Lady Herschel: Should have let him know when they were in town. Believes Mrs. Jones is going on well at Brighton. Sets out for Cambridge to see William Whewell tomorrow. Hears rooms of Henry VIII have been opened for parties.
Arranges a meeting with CW and Edward Sabine to discuss Kew [magnetic] observations.
Comments on balloon ascent report, photographic paper made with vegetable colors, and the need to provide a polarizing crystal to J. B. Biot.
Due to the death of George Birkbeck, the Committee of Management of the London Mechanics Institute would like JH to become President. [Note by JH: declined.]
Thanks HO for his effort on JH's behalf [see JH's 1841-10-10], and then describes some of his photographic experiments.
Agrees to meet JH and Edward Sabine on Saturday. Kew Observatory was given to R.S.L., but R.S.L. has not yet taken possession of it. [JH annotation: election of General Morrison to R.S.L.]
Sends JH a copy of Thomas Maclear's base measurements, and will transmit JH's letter to Maclear.
A letter accompanying a 'fair copy' of the Report of the Standards Commission; GA indicates he has incorporated the views of all members of the Commission.
Discusses recent magnetic disturbances and their publication, as well as sending reports on them to G. B. Airy, Humphrey Lloyd, C. F. Gauss, and others.
Asks about the claim that JH professes that the moon affects the atmosphere and about possibly related research. Received paper on constellations for Astronomische Nachrichten.
JH replies (to RS:HS 15.389) that neither JH nor his father held that the moon influenced the atmosphere, though JH does connect a full moon with a clear sky. [Eliza] Hamilton, sister of W. R. Hamilton, has published some poetry that is not well known, but deserving. Cannot accept foreign order.
Discusses advantages and disadvantages of 24 versus 36 hour series in meteorological observations. R.S.L. officially endorses 24 hours, but AQ should continue 36 hours if best for him. Does not possess the Comptes rendus of French Institute and cannot therefore see No. 413. Will attempt to procure sight of it. Asks AQ to return [P. F.] Verhulst's work to him. Expresses respect for AQ's work. Asks for understanding if JH does not answer every letter promptly.
As 'perpetual Secretary' of the Academy, AQ expresses thanks for JH's work 'On the Advantages to be Obtained by a Revision and Re-arrangement of the Constellations.'
About various testimonials, from JH and others, for JF's application for a government pension.
Wishes not to be re-elected as chair of R.S.L. Physical Committee, feeling that JH's distance from London and other occupations impede Committee's efficiency.
Regarding the advisability of purchasing a patent in the photographic process.
Has heard that J. D. Forbes will be leaving Edinburgh to work in Glasgow, where the salary is higher. Would like JH's support for a movement to increase the salary so that Forbes may be retained at Edinburgh.