Asks for details of WL's system of speculum polishing and telescope construction as JH is preparing an article on telescopes for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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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.
Asks for details of WL's system of speculum polishing and telescope construction as JH is preparing an article on telescopes for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Sends procedures for preparation of the report of the Magnetic Committee for the meeting of the B.A.A.S., which JH cannot attend due to illness; asks some questions about achromatic lens theory.
Thanks HL for the response to JH's queries [see JH's 1859-9-4].
Comments on WL's information on telescope construction, and adds some of JH's own experience.
Chancellor of Exchequer [W. E. Gladstone] will arrange with Lord Palmerston [H. J. Temple] for JH's retirement as Master of Mint. Thanks for GH's support against 'external influences' during JH's term.
Recommends John Goldsmith for position of supernumerary clerk in Mint office.
Invites ES and his wife [at St. Leonard's] to visit . JH is impressed with ES's ability to develop a working plan for terrestrial magnetism observations. Is prepared to write a review article [about magnetism?] if invited, but JH refuses to write such articles and offer them 'for acceptance or rejection.'
Thanks ES for receipt of information about magnetic curves and the work of [A. D.] Bache. JH is glad to hear ES is back to active work again, but JH says he is too ill to go to the B.A.A.S. meeting [in Aberdeen].
Has incorporated ES's suggestions into the draft report about [the University of] Kasan.
Points out deviations from policies recommended in 1848 by Mint Commission. Supports consolidation of supervisory positions. Protests C. E. Trevelyan's idea that JH's scientific pursuits in spare time as Master of Mint must be directed to public projects.
Dismisses the lectures of a Mr. Parallax, who is going about the country lecturing against the basic views of science, and using JH's ideas in support.
Withdraws resignation [see JH's 1853-5-30] as Master of Mint. [JH annotation of 24 Feb. 1855: Letter not sent. Now regrets letting friends convince him to remain. JH has lived the past two years in 'the Shadow of death.']
Acknowledges the proof sheets of the new edition of the Physical Geography of the Sea. Will read them with the attention they deserve. Does not at present agree with the theories of MM.
Thanks for the fragment of poor [Ben?]. Comments on this and the composition of the metal of bells.
Sending details of his idea for a new projection of the sphere. If printed will need the maps re-engraved.
Comments on Robert Stephenson's theory regarding the presence of fossil plants in Arctic regions and on possible astronomical causes of such fossilization; gives some of his own theories.
Comments on the affidavit supplied by WT; will sign most of it but objects to one section.
Clarifies JH's position, by saying that he clearly supports WT as the inventor of the calotype or talbotype, but has reservations about the collodion process.
Is much obliged for the gift of the new atlas. Has never seen an atlas so clearly and beautifully executed. Comments on various points. Wishes that the usual parallels of latitude and longitude had been included.
Response to the Board of Trade's refusal to supervise the adjustment of compasses on sea-going ships. [This letter was prepared on behalf of the Council of the R.S.L.]