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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.
Many thanks for the dates for the memoir of George Peacock. Queries the name of his father. Comments on various church matters.
Recalls JH's letter from Cape regarding study of etymology. Encloses HW's own effort to develop this.
Is indisposed so will not be coming to London; leaves it to him and Edward Sabine to send answer to H. P. F. P. Clinton (5th Duke of Newcastle). Would like an up-to-date citation for W. E. Weber as he has been awarded the Royal Medal.
About the cost of sending a telegram to India.
Sons William and John have brought photographs from India; also writes news of family and friends.
Tells about missing a meeting with HRH Prince Albert, about a paper read at a R.S.L. meeting, and describes how to figure out how strong a reading glass JH needs to buy for his wife, Margaret. JH saw Charles Wheatstone, who has devised an alphabetic telegraph.
Talks of a committee attempting a massive collection of knowledge from the colonies; JH is considering exchanging some furniture between London and Collingwood.
JH decides not to exchange furniture [see JH's 1859?, i.e., #11005] on daughter Caroline's recommendation; some financial matters.
About an expected death, an accident involving an omnibus, and MH's return arrangements for the following day.
Comments on WP's account of a meteor striking ground in America.
Many thanks for the information. Finds that George Peacock wrote a book entitled the Measurer. Someone has sent him a geometrical question with abominable diagrams.
Sends copy of ES's reply to Richard Owen, who reported Owen's interview with C. E. Trevelyan. Suggests waiting until summer to apply for government funds to support observatories in Peking and Vancouver Island. ES's recent illness.
Sending JH his Essays [Essays: Scientific, Political, and Speculative, 1857] and HS's 'Recent Astronomy and the Nebular Hypothesis,' the latter just published in the Westminster Review. Requests JH's comments on the latter publication.
Has been employed in London studying the way in which Government aid is granted to further popular education. Will be moving on to Glasgow soon to do similar work. Has been offered an L.L.D. if he can obtain a recommendation from someone in this country.
Did not expect to see U. J. J. LeVerrier's prediction of an inferior planet verified so soon. Observations of E. M. Lescarbault meritorious. Is writing to Charles Tennant and W. R. Birt to join in the observations of the planet.
Thanks HS for sending [see HS's 1859-1-10] HS's Essays and his 'Recent Astronomy and the Nebular Hypothesis.' Regarding the latter, points out a geometrical error, expresses reservations about HS's and Auguste Comte's views of the nebular hypothesis, and argues against HS's theory of sunspot structure. Agrees with HS's idea that some nebulae may be nearer than commonly thought.
Is grateful for the kind manner in which he answered his letter. Gives news of the College in South Africa. Details of Shaw House, Newbury.
Capt. W. S. Jacob has supplied him with enclosed letter as a basis for the Committee to work on. Would like his opinion on the scheme. Hopes Poonah will be the base for new observations. Size and quality of the Kew solar photographs.
Is working on a volume on the gold standard.
On the desirability of one good observatory in India. Thinks Poonah would be the best site. Time not suitable to press for this establishment.