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.
Will attend JH's marriage, but cannot be present for some preliminaries. Discusses relations between chemistry and mineralogy.
Where should WW meet JH on Tuesday before JH's wedding?
Asks JH to return a musical instrument he had borrowed. Mentions dining with Mrs. Alexander Stewart [JH's new mother-in-law]. Asks JH to look over a sheet of chemical elements to be used as a basis for a mineralogical classification. Invites JH and his bride to visit WW in Cambridge.
Asks JH for advice on a table designed to show the relation between the chemical elements and the known minerals. Asks JH about various problems relating to determining chemical formulas.
Recommends G. B. Airy for superintendence of the Nautical Almanac. Expresses hope that Richard Jones's book will be published. Laments lack of recognition given to British scientists.
Sending the marriage settlement, which should be deposited with a banker.
Hopes the Herschels are well. Is worried about the state of Charles Babbage's engine. Thinks an approach should be made to Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington).
Is leaving London for many months and would therefore like his name removed from the Council of the Royal Society, and also his Vice-presidency to be terminated. Would like his name removed from the glass sub-committee.
Congratulates him on the cause of his temporary absence from London. Hopes he will reconsider his views on resignation from the offices of the R.S.L. at the end of the year. His resignation from the Glass sub-committee is a compliment to Michael Faraday.
Asks DG to respond to a note from George Rümker.
Time is approaching when the new members of council have to be considered. Has JH changed his mind about resigning. Hopes he will continue.
Received his letter of the 17th today. Does not think he can change his mind about resigning from the council.
Regrets the R.S.L. is to lose JH's services. Eilhard Mitscherlich has been nominated for a medal on JH's recommendation; can JH give DG some details of Mitscherlich's discoveries?
His library is in chaos at the moment due to house decoration, so he is unable to lay his hands on the note about Eilhard Mitscherlich. Gives a long survey of the work of Mitscherlich and states why in his opinion he should receive a medal.
Sends thanks for the wedding cake, and congratulations on JH's marriage.
Thanks JH for his suggestions for her paper. Will accept any corrections he makes. Sends warm regards to JH and his new wife.
Wants JH to return the last 8-10 pages of her manuscript. She wishes to correct and improve it.