Discusses the project of erecting a large telescope in the southern hemisphere [Melbourne telescope] for observation of nebulae. Expresses reservations and makes suggestions about the project.
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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.
Discusses the project of erecting a large telescope in the southern hemisphere [Melbourne telescope] for observation of nebulae. Expresses reservations and makes suggestions about the project.
Returns a paper of Mr. Stobart, which deals with astronomical knowledge of the early Egyptians.
Alexander S. Herschel's education goals and job prospects. [Lucy?] has published 'Marshall's Essays.' Question about investments.
Sending first 64 pages of JH's Physical Geography with some insertions and corrections. Requests proofs in duplicate.
Writes to inform son John of the sudden death [after only a very brief illness] of John's sister Margaret Louisa. [The letter is quiet and accepting, praising God for the happy and blameless life that 'Looey' had led and what joy she had brought to the family.]
Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.
Regarding the question of forged documents by the Indigo planters of Bengal and the advantages they hold over the Ryotts, who cannot read or write.
Returns the petitions. Regarding the one for the maintenance of the church rates. Has qualms about signing this as he does not entirely agree with some of the statements.
Has no means of knowing what course the University of Cambridge will take in the event of the resignation of James Challis. Hopes that RC will not cease from his astronomical labors.
Thanks for the palladium [see GS's 1861-3-22].
Expresses thanks for sending Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge, a report by A. D. Bache, and materials from the American Philosophical Society.
Recognizes the validity of GA's claim to the eyepiece theory [see GA's 1861-3-27]; JH did not have space to deal adequately with the subject of telescopes.
Thanks MS for sympathy letter. Discusses present situation in Italy. Discusses his children and their scattered locations, e.g., a son fighting in the Indigo affair. Discusses his articles for Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Asks GA many questions about his magnetical explanation [see GA's 1861-4-22].
On the effect of the earth passing through a comet's tail.
Comments on whether a rainbow could be reflected to the eye from water. Comets approach quite near to the earth on many occasions. Regarding the development of South America.
Discusses the theory of rainbow formation, especially for rainbows seen as reflections from bodies of water.
Not aware of any changes in trust fund status of T. H. Hollier since Jan. 1860.
Found some old packets of seeds of Protea yesterday and wonders if he would like them to be sown to see if they would germinate. Comments on some of the plants in his garden. Tried some Peruvian potatoes.
AH's college exams. Prefers that AH come home, rather than JH coming to Clapham and using Charles Pritchard's astronomy instruments. Describes 'revolving reflector' that JH designed for studying star spectra. Margaret and Duncan Stewart are coming to Clapham tomorrow for races. Many visitors at Collingwood.