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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.
Sympathizes with JH's feelings of regret over actinometer readings. Has procured a new thermometer and carried out experiments toward correction of actinometers.
Asks time and place of next meeting of Philosophical Club, having received invitation lacking that information.
Reports on and recommends for publication experiments in paper [see RSPT, 137 (1847), 253-] by [A. F. J.] Claudet on effect of solar radiation on silver plate's mercury deposit, but questions conclusion about triplicity of photographic action.
The books are on their way [see GA's 1847-3-30].
Seeks London bookselling agent through whom to direct copies of JH's Cape Results for Dublin scientific groups. Discusses pretty names for new planets. Thanks for WH's memoir on quaternions.
Will be happy to supply a copy of the Cape Results [see GA's 1847-9-27]; the next asteroid should be called Flora, to provide 'young goddesses for Mars and Jupiter to admire.'
Encloses post office order; not knowing WG's 'Christian' name; hopes that WG can sign 'William.' Apologizes for being unable to attend 'the Dinners.'
Presents 'tables for facilitating the approximate prediction of occultation and eclipses for any particular place,' so that seamen without specialized backgrounds in mathematics can observe and improve hydrography.
Believes all actinometric measurements made are useless because they did not take into account the rate of expansion of the liquid, which is not constant.
Asks whether JL wishes to present method [see JH's 1847-12-4] at next R.A.S. meeting.
Comments, after delays due to busyness, on JH's queries on the calibration of actinometers and gives results of experiments.
Recounts discussion in R.A.S. council regarding how the Society's medal should be awarded in response to the discovery of Neptune. U. J. J. Leverrier led J. C. Adams in the voting, but did not receive enough votes.
Congratulations on how the deliberations concerning awarding the R.A.S. medal came off 'well & quietly.' Recommends how JH's notice on F. W. Bessel should be distributed.
Has heard that the R.A.S. council's 'no-medal resolution' has produced much dissatisfaction, which will not disappear by a general vote supporting the acts of the council. Thinks that the course adopted is wrong. If the council will not reconsider in favor of a positive conclusion, JH suggests that the issue be raised in a general meeting of the R.A.S. and that its decision be accepted with 'alacrity.' Holds himself free, as President, from any obligation to uphold 'in speaking or writing' whatever decision results.
Has learned of more dissatisfaction with the R.A.S. council's decision regarding awarding its medal. Because the council rejected the proposal to give more than one medal, the decision to medalize no one was a logical consequence. Expects the matter will be raised in the general meeting. Wants some positive conclusion, not a negative one. Restates his original position that medals ought go to both, with care taken in the wording so as to avoid national rivalry.
Has written G. B. Airy stating his approval of having JH's statement favoring awarding two R.A.S. medals read. Wants to be fair to U. J. J. Leverrier, and does not want to 'stultify' the existing council. Is enclosing a copy of his note to Airy.
Proposes that R.A.S. award medals regarding the discovery of Neptune to both U. J. J. Leverrier and J. C. Adams, giving first honors to Leverrier, and specifying distinctly the grounds for awarding the second. Hopes his resolution will not be seen as blaming anyone and that it will have a 'healing and a friendly effect.'
Has written to G. B. Airy requesting that at the R.A.S. meeting, Airy show RS the note JH wrote to him. Announces 'LV's' [U. J. J. Leverrier's] election as an associate of the R.A.S.
Has the papers by [Thomas] Henderson but they do not contain much information.
On a puzzling aspect of [Thomas] Henderson's papers. One column in his tables seems to have been altered in someone else's handwriting. Wants to know the origin of these corrections, and how Henderson's tables ought to be printed. Offers several options.