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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.
Put no confidence in [Francesco] DeVico's drawing of the nebula of Orion. JH has a better one now at the engravers. Notes that DeVico has left out the 'real' 6th star in 'Trapezio.'
Warington Smyth returns from mineral gathering expedition on the Continent for Cambridge and will present JH with a specimen of Herschelite. C. P. Smyth has sent sketches he made at the Cape.
JH to visit CP's house. CP suggests they both visit J. P. Gassiot, where they might also meet with Michael Faraday. Asks JH if there are experiments he would like to see during visit. Reports observing Fraunhofer lines through a prism.
Regarding electrometers and their efficiency.
Further regarding glass for telescope. Postscript relating experiments with electricity.
She did wrong in letting him have JH's letter.
Comments about the uses of a meridian telescope.
Thanks for publishing his curves. Is proceeding with his reductions. G. B. Airy has forwarded the Greenwich observations. Would he obtain Howard Elphinstone's observations for him.
Sends proof sheets of the preface to the Star catalogue of the B.A.A.S., together with a few amendments. Has not sent the catalogue to press yet.
Justification for his nomenclature in the star catalogue.
Regarding the arrangement of 'Argo.'
Intends moving into the country after midsummer and would like JH's advice on a suitable spot for an observatory. Regrets that the atmosphere of London is not suitable for astronomical work now.
Is extremely obliged for his prompt reply to his query regarding a suitable site for his observatory. Outlines the kind of residence he would like.
Has had to terminate his appointment at George Bishop's Observatory and is determined to leave London and settle in the country. Has heard of a residence near Hawkhurst and would like to visit JH this coming Monday.
Wants to set up a benefit club; for mutual insurance of artisans, etc., and is asking AD for actuarial information.
Regarding the workings of Insurance Companies and Benefit Societies. Recommends an actuary. Hopes JH will come down for the Anniversary meeting.
Government intention to reduce interest in savings banks may well affect JH's benefit society.
Refers to 17 July 1827 communication from W. J. Burchell in Brazil to J. S. Duncan, brother of Phillip Duncan, noting increased brightness of Eta Navis, and that Alpha Centauri and Alpha Crucis are double stars.
Extract [in JH's hand] from WM's letter describing increasing brightness of Eta Argus. [JH annotation: See 'Ast. Soc. Notices Jan 12/44']
If publication costs exceed £1000 available, PS suggests publishing JH's [Cape Results] in two separate volumes, subsidizing 'drier' part for 'men of Science,' and selling 'interesting' part. Explains how PS applied [limited] government grants to works of [Andrew] Smith and Charles Darwin.