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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.
Informs JH that his comments against sending a major telescope to India were decisive [see JH's 1866-8-11 & 1866-9-4]; biggest cost impediment was salary of observer.
In response to ES's 1866-12-6, JH sees no benefit in a great equatorial telescope in India being an itinerant instrument.
Discusses Lord [Henry ] Brougham and his optical papers. Thanks ES for kind remarks regarding JH's son [John?]. Discusses polarization of corona.
Reviews additional work of H. P. Brougham [see JH's 1868-10-1] as has been requested in preparation for an eloge . JH is critical of poorly described and poorly understood work, unrelentingly tied to Isaac Newton's corpuscular ideas.
Against changing location of Royal Observatory [from Greenwich], but will defer to opinion of [G. B. Airy] Astronomer Royal. Airy is most competent to judge situation. Still ill.
Too ill to work on anything besides nebula catalogue. Discusses recent meteorological phenomena, period of solar spots, and great pyramid.
Occupied with matters besides magnetism lately. Interest in science of Prince Consort [Albert] is praiseworthy. Discusses several observatories and letter of [T. W.?] Blakiston.
Lists magnetic books received from ES. It will be some time before JH can direct his attention to magnetic issues.
Asks for information concerning the magnetic observations and compilations made in various countries and regions.
Thanks for declination readings from photograms at Kew. Thinks meteorological observatory on Vesuvius is good idea, but not sure a magnetic one is. Includes two charts of world.
Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.
Like JH, Smyths have been suffering bronchial problems. Urges JH not to give up [see JH's 1861-1-29] plan of JH writing a review on terrestrial magnetisim.
Sends letter regarding meteorology from the Smithsonian to JH. Pleased with magnetic work of [A. D.] Bache at Girard College.
Certain the Colonial Secretary [Duke of Newcastle] would write to governor of Malta on behalf of [William] Lassell.
Encloses letter from [W. P.] Wilson of Melbourne and ES's response for JH's perusal. Discusses [Warren] de La Rue's work on solar photography.
Requests JH sign certificate for [W. F.] Hook. Asks JH to forward it to William Whewell for his signature.
Has signed certificate for [W. F.] Hook. [See ES 1861-12-5] Congratulates ES [on presidency of R.S.L.]. JH on B.A.A.S. balloon committee. Proposes design for metallic thermometer.
Pleased ES and [Balfour?] Stewart like plan for metallic thermometer. Suggests way to obviate effect of pendulous movement of the suspended weight.
Wants suggestions as to whom R.S.L. should award medals.
Tells who received R.S.L. medals. Discusses possibility that [Henri] Regnault's recent work deserves Copley Medal. Wants JH's opinions. JH's letter concerning Melbourne telescope was sent to Lord Rosse.