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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.
Is anxious for some means to be developed to get a measurable quantity [preferably by weight] from the action of a beam of light on a surface. JH has been experimenting in photography with 'flouric' compounds.
Sending, care of Dr. Grant, the first part of a series of experiments on the magnetic influence of light, which appeared recently in the Calcutta Journal. Has been unable to obtain a characteristic specimen of Kankar in Bengal. Dr. Hugh Falconer is an expert on the Kankar in Bengal and he will try to obtain information from Falconer.
Received JH's constellation reform paper. Reports on triangulation at Zwartland and observations of possible variable stars. Obelisk at Feldhausen erected; relates controversies over the site.
Informs JH that the B.A.A.S. has place him on a committee to conduct experiments by capture balloon on the atmosphere.
Observations on double stars.
Is gratified that JM is taking an interest in double stars. Comments on some of the observations and time of their orbits.
Informs JH that the B.A.A.S. has placed him on a committee to supervise the translation and publication of foreign scientific memoirs.
Is anxious about his aunt Caroline Herschel and would like news of her health.
Would like JH to come to Manchester on 23-25 to give support for the Kew Observatory. F. W. Bessel and G. A. Erman are coming.
Sends a memoir he has scribbled off for next Wednesday's meeting. Would like JH's advice on several points.
Many thanks for JH's explanations, which gave satisfaction to the geologists. Gives two queries of his own for which he would like clarification. Can they print JH's Alpine phenomena memoir?
Pleased that JH can come on the occasion of F. W. Bessel's visit, as W. R. Hamilton, G. B. Airy, and Francis Baily cannot come. Comments regarding Foreign Orders.
Has only just received JH's parcel dispatched some six months ago, due to lack of transport during the winter months. JH's poem on the Old Telescope has been in great demand. Pass the enclosed to Miss Hamilton. Would like an autograph of JH for her album.
On his last passage down the Red Sea the Captain informed TN of the singular alteration of his chronometers. Comments on this and would like JH's views. Magnetic station at Aden has never been set up and the instruments are still at Bombay. Examined the ancient canal while at Suez. Will be pleased to assist JH in any way.
Comments on some papers on vision and photography by Mr. Moser, and compares this with some of JH's own writings on the subject.
About arrangements to visit JH at Collingwood.
Birth of JH's ninth child [Julia].
Sends description and drawings of JH's actinoscope. Requests estimate for time and expense of constructing it. Questions about clock mechanism and prisms.
Regrets that GD cannot build JH's entire actinoscope. If GD can make at least mechanical components, JH will supply optics and clockwork. Can GD complete these [by end of March]? Funds are limited; please estimate cost.
Confirms scale of drawings [for JH's actinoscope]. Has found simple contrivance to replace clockwork. Will order lenses and prisms from Munich; all English glass has color aberrations.