Asks JH's opinion of an anonymous book [WW's Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay]. Describes it written 'very fairly' but as presenting views very different from JH's.
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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 JH's opinion of an anonymous book [WW's Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay]. Describes it written 'very fairly' but as presenting views very different from JH's.
Would he look at the accompanying work by O. P. A. P. Dufrénoy. Feels that Dufrénoy would advocate only that which was right.
Forwards letter from Henry Finch to CT. It may help JH in considering Finch's case.
Grateful for JH's paper on 'Deduction from Salaries' question, but notes precedent in common law for exceptions in cases of dismissal from public service.
Compliments to the Herschels. Was interested in JH's article in the last number of Good Words. A long time since he has seen Alexander Herschel.
[Form letter] Treasury solicits recommendations on which of three decimal distance scales should be adopted by Ordnance Survey for maps.
James Wyon has proven to be competent engraver for two years.
Number of coin dies required by Sydney branch mint and lifetime of each die. WB would need six months to produce these.
Acknowledges CT's error in writing name of 'Rose & Crown.' Returns JH's unsigned letter on copper coinage with two errors noted. Concurs with JH on coins proposed for adoption.
Thanks for his articles on the prediction of time; comments on it. Has been translating an article of John Tyndall.
Saw in the Times that JH is working on universal alphabet. Sends Wolfgang Kempelen's book (1791) on mechanism of speech. Speculates on machine that could produce phonetic sounds for universal language.
Requests donation of copy of JH's Cape Results to library of Mechanics Institution.
Sending diagrams of Halley's Comet traced from a work, The Orbs of Heaven.
Invites JH to dine quietly with MS and the [11th] Duke of Somerset [E. A. Seymour], who is in 'delicate health.'
[Marked 'Private.'] Suggests that JH delay request to include office of master of Mint under Superannuation Act until after government revises Act.
Please send comments on the first draft of the Standards Commission report [see GA's 1853-12-22]; GA wants to prepare a second draft.
Doubts that examiner could live outside London and still fulfill duties.
Doubts that proscribing certain weight usages will be effective, unless the users feel a need to change [see JH's 1854-2-14]
Will act according to JH's advice in future, but believes police at Mint gate were also at fault for not adhering to consistent policy of inspecting parcels carried out by servants and visitors.
Appreciation of JH's son [John]. Admired JH's letter of 2 Feb. 1852 to Treasury, in which WF's most important recommendations [to 1848 committee for Mint reform] have been carried out. Dependence on steam for transportation has raised price of coal. Proposes two methods to replace coal: (a) use electrical conductivity of seawater in presence of dissimilar metals to propel ships, and (b) generate heat in 'Earth Batteries,' similar to dungheaps. Asks JH to approve request by John Gilbert, retired mechanical engineer at Calcutta mint, who wishes to visit Royal Mint, but was refused several years ago.