Instructions for assaying Indian coins.
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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.
Instructions for assaying Indian coins.
HF's proposal for new position of assistant resident assayer deviates from procedures for reorganized Mint by avoiding usual course of promotion. Use services of E. L. J. Ridsdale instead. If Ridsdale is incompetent, he must be notified that his probation year is unsatisfactory.
Cannot recall details or find documents regarding promotion of Charles Sterry to HF's assistant assayer in 1851. Remembers that Henry Bingley declined that position; it was then proper for HF to recommend someone.
Asks HF to report on 'six assay pieces' enclosed.
Testimony to the value of HF's work when JH was Master of the Mint.
Bank of England will begin importing gold again next week. Asks permission to be relieved of attending the pyx, in order to assay gold ingots. W. H. Barton will still have assistance of E. L. J. Ridsdale. Notes £600 savings made by HF in Assay department.
Concern for careless work of E. L. J. Ridsdale, who is still on probation as assayer. Explains precedent for letting HF's assistant attend pyx trial.
Asks JH to confirm that JH appointed Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer on 25 Apr. 1851 after Henry Bingley declined position. Original letter of appointment is lost, and HF is accused of falsifying records.
Lists dates in 1851 on which steps were taken in appointment of Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer. HF is still under accusation.
Congratulations on the success of his son at Addiscombe.
Pleased to hear of his improved health. Has sent some of the substance he requested. Affairs at the Mint not very satisfactory.
Would like a testimonial from JH which would prove useful when he retires. Points out his value to JH when he analyzed the metals used.
Is grateful for JH's testimonial, which will doubtless be of great value.
Sending some crystals of a substance he obtained by the separation of gold from iridium. Would be glad of his comments.
Would like photographs of JH, one for himself and one for the American Philosophical Society. Busy at the Mint. Issue of bronze coinage continues. Supplying foreign Mints with his gas apparatus.
Is grateful for the photographs. Recent happenings at the Mint. Has had a visit from Henry Bingley, who looks well.
Sends [T. F.?] Fremantle's first annual report. [Richard?] Roberts memo was drawn up from information obtained from himself. Has now retired, but with no great financial assistance.
Regrets he wrote at such an awkward time. Regarding suitable portraits of JH. Will wait for a more suitable one. HF has just had his photograph taken.