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.
Has been unable to carry on his astronomical pursuits for the past three years. Would like to visit JH to see the construction of his telescope.
The metrical system is decaying. Does not see any future for the standard yard. A universal language is a necessity.
Has just received the Admiralty Manual. Thinks it would be helpful if some tables for determining the heights of mountains by means of the barometer could be included in the next edition. Points out an error in the Nautical Almanac.
Sends his fractional approximation of a sidereal revolution. Would like his opinion on its accuracy. Clock will not be finished for several years.
On the evening of 4 Jan. he found a nebulosity in or near Draco that he has been unable to discover in any catalogue. Has discovered another red star in Taurus, which is not given in JH's list.
In looking through Lamont 1845-6 he found two observations of Neptune not previously recognized. Thanks for his memoir on the orbits of double stars.
Sends an interesting result of the comet computed by Mr. Barber of Etwell. W. R. Dawes's observations are about to be printed. Wilhelm Struve has some curious optical equations. Will be pleased to see Dr. [Henry?] Holland when he arrives.
Has just received a memoir from Bastiaan Bomme of Middelburg on the comet of 1264 and 1556. Sends the chief results. Comments on the findings and future appearances of the comet.
On Nov. 4 observed a red star, which does not appear in any of the recent maps or charts. Gives readings. JH may be able to throw some light on it.
Thanks for congratulations on marriage of HH's daughter. Notes HH's review of J. C. Prichard's Natural History of Man in December issue of Quarterly Review, written while on holiday in Armenia.
Marriage of HH's eldest daughter. Thanks for JH's letter of introduction to George Bishop and J. R. Hind.
Delayed answering JH's letter until HH could find details of works by 'Göttingen Professor,' but has had difficulty in locating them. Any treatise connecting epidemics with fungous origins would be of interest. Will bring distressing medical case to attention of one of HH's committees. HH's Medical Notes and Reflections, 3rd edition (1855).
Queries regarding JH's star lists. Sending magnetic information from A. T. Kupffer. Regarding the distribution of nebulae.
Answers questions raised by AH in his 1850-1-19 [letter contains notes made by AH].
Is grateful for his constructive letter on the Coal Sack. Regarding the work of the Schlaginweit brothers.
News of the astronomical activities of his colleagues. Astronomical queries.
Sending a note from M. R. Gubbins of the Bengal Civil Service, which may be of interest to JH.
Names mentioned in his note probably refers to F. D. Barker and W. H. Smith. Persons bearing JH's name have recently graduated; will be pleased to make inquiries.
Found his letter and petition waiting for him on his return from East Kent, and had already presented it to the House of Commons. Outlines the events.
Hopes to present the petition on Monday. Had a letter from Mary Somerville at Turin introducing Count and Countess Grizzo.