Has returned from London. A preprint of JS's and JH's paper on double stars has been delivered to François Arago. Is finding many errata in their paper. Has received a letter from Josef Fraunhofer and the paper [on double stars] of Wilhelm Struve.
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 returned from London. A preprint of JS's and JH's paper on double stars has been delivered to François Arago. Is finding many errata in their paper. Has received a letter from Josef Fraunhofer and the paper [on double stars] of Wilhelm Struve.
Not upset that JH withdrew WR's paper on photometer from R.S.L. Sent similar paper to David Brewster's [Edinburgh Journal of Science] with note on JH's method for finding relative heating power of solar rays. Wants to dedicate WR's book on light and heat to JH.
Is preparing a paper on planetary perturbations, which GP would like to send to the Astronomical Society for publication. Comments on JH's ideas on the subject of perturbations. Would the paper being in French be a problem? Comments on Henry Kater's method for finding the zero point in his meridian circle.
Compliments JH on work as Secretary of the Astronomical Society and for keeping the scientists of Europe informed of discoveries made in England. Finds that GS needs permission from Italian government to be a member of the R.S.L.; expects this will not be difficult.
Contacts with Alexis Bouvard and P. S. Laplace. Criticizes an astronomical paper by [Robert] Woodhouse.
Expressing the thanks of the Académie for JH's gift of Observations...on 380 Double and Triple Stars.
Invites JH to dinner. Expects Mr. and Mrs. [Andrew?] Spottiswoode and Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith.
Regarding the travels of a packet of Wilhelm Struve's observations. Please bring F. W. Bessel's letter with him when he comes to the Committee meeting.
Acknowledges receipt of WS's second volume of observations and the new telescope's results. Mentions Caroline Herschel's catalogue of nebulae.
Of dreams, poetry, and JH's winning the Lalande Prize [letter completed 1825-6-6].
Comments negatively on an astronomical paper by Robert Woodhouse. [J. F. A.] Gambert in Marseille has reportedly discovered a comet. Details on the medal to be awarded by the Academy to JH and JS. If, as reported, Wilhelm Struve has come to England, invite him to visit JS in Paris.
Returning to Cookham. Thanks for minerals. Describes shipment of new minerals from Baffin Bay. Expecting another from Rio de la Plata, courtesy of Woodbine Parish [consul-general to Buenos Aires].
Concerning recent works and discussions connected with longitude.
Encloses R. Bonne's letter and gives further instructions regarding rockets for experiment.
Edward Sabine declares that R.S.L. is hostile to ES's interests. If ES makes future claim for compensation, JH wants TY's opinion in writing. Need to order four night glasses for Fairlight Station. Encloses letter from [Richard] Copeland.
Clarifies that the six artillery men are at ES's disposal but under JH's command. Agrees to oversee arrival of the rockets. If expenses are to be paid by the Department of Ordinance, a request must be made by the Secretary of the Board of Longitude. Agrees to keep a record of expenses, not including his time spent, which he considers 'public service.'
Six artillery men have been placed under ES's command. Encloses letters from Charles Bonne. Asks ES to oversee the arrival of 180 rockets to be used at Wrotham and Fairlight. Proposes that ES test whether a light at Wrotham can be seen at Fairlight in which case gunpowder will be used instead of rockets. Sets date for ES to meet Bonne in Hornoy. Urges ES to record his expenses for the Board of Longitude.
JS has received the medals awarded JS and JH by the French Academy for their paper on double stars. Reports on his new work on double stars and his observations of [J. F. A.] Gambert's comet.
Anxiety about the response to JG's manuscript by the publisher [see JG's 1825-5-16].
Laments the difficulty of transmitting publications between Paris and London. On arrangements to get JH's Lalande Prize medal to JH. JS's recent observations and contacts with Parisian scientists.