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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.
Did not realize that JH would leave town so quickly. Cast a 10" speculum successfully after William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) plan. Is having difficulty with his grinding and polishing and would welcome JH's advice.
Sending him the elements of the new planet Astrea. Orbit is based on the Berlin observations. Differs from those given by J. F. Encke.
Has just been showing Michael Faraday some of his experiments on the influence of magnetism of bodies slowly precipitating; comments on this and will be pleased to carry out any experiments for JH.
Sorry for the delay in response; JH has been ill for some time. JM has objected to P. S. Laplace's theory of probabilities; JH strongly supports Laplace.
Regrets to learn that JH is still suffering. Advises him to come to London for examination.
Was gratified to hear of the improvement in JH's health. Hopes it will progress.
Hears from his publisher that a second edition of JM's System of Logic is being prepared for the press, so would welcome any suggestions from JH regarding alterations or amendments.
Is grateful for JH's letter. Has already had criticisms of the chapter, which JH mentions. Will reconsider it.
Has collected information about coal deposits, but GG is very troubled that the committee [coal map committee of the B.A.A.S] has not yet met and has established no procedures. Describes some of the information GG has at hand.
AS JH understands the matter [see GG's 1845-12-23], GG is the only knowledgeable member of the committee, and so it will be up to GG to present information and propose some means of moving ahead. JH makes some critical remarks about the nature of B.A.A.S. committees.
Returns to JH, and comments on, the distribution lists [for the B.A.A.S. star catalogue].
Some modifications to the telescope ordered [see JH's 1845-11-7].
Acknowledges receipt of JH's order from B.A.A.S. for £30. Mr. Harris is much worse and cannot respond personally.
Requests advance payment by B.A.A.S. to Mr. Harris, assistant secretary to Nautical Almanac.
Has requested Admiralty funding for the proposed telescope [see GA's 1845-11-2]; GA does not like the mounting the telescope is to be given; has gathered, from Otto Struve, that it does not work well at Pulkowa Observatory.
Is returning JH's report on William Simms's object glass [see GA's 1845-10-14]; GA reiterates Otto Struve's statement about the mounting at Pulkowa Observatory [see GA's 1845-12-1].
The Admiralty has approved the purchase of the telescope for the Cape Observatory [see GA's 1845-12-1].
A note of instructions about paying for the Cape telescope [see GA's 1845-12-20].
Elected Foreign Secretary of R.S.L. Discusses a shipment of books from Russia and a shipment of releases for fellows, the public, and the R.S.L. library.
Discusses shipping charges for books sent by [Adolphe] Quetelet from Russia. Discusses position of Admiralty regarding observatories.