Visited JH at Mint today. Notes JH's health and recovery. JH reminisced of childhood episodes with William Herschel.
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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.
Visited JH at Mint today. Notes JH's health and recovery. JH reminisced of childhood episodes with William Herschel.
About the school progress of sons John and Alexander; JH is in a very depressed state, looks at his current life [at the Mint?] with 'loathing,' and cannot imagine surviving it for more than a few months.
About the health of JH's servant [?], Knowles.
Directions for sending mail to son Willy [in India?]; about daughter Margaret Louisa's health, the family bills, some stories about people JH met at a dinner, and finally, JH's despair about his work.
Very depressed and concerned about the family finances, both short and long term.
Has recovered from his depression [see JH's 1854-2-1]; sees a possibility of a new position as a Civil Service appointment examiner.
JH feels harassed by life and finds solace in MH's letters; thinks electricity could operate the Jacquard loom and the pianoforte. Argues against a recent book [William Whewell's Of the Plurality of Worlds], which claims the earth is the only inhabited body in the universe.
The effect of the Crimean War on the Mint, and on the family, for example, daughter Caroline will want to follow her husband as close to the war area as possible [see JH's 1854-2-15].
Daughter Caroline is preparing for the problems that the Crimean War may bring; JH has applied for an Examinership [see JH's 1854-2-1 to 15].
Duties of Examiner of superannuation claims for Treasury will not permit JH to live in Collingwood and may be more burdensome than those of Mint. Upset at losing Charles Elouis, who will leave Mint to replace Mr. Watt as superintendent of bullion at mint in Sydney. Concern for daughter Caroline, whose husband, [A. H.] Gordon, leaves before March, leaving her alone in Malta when 'her hour is due.'
About Willy's success, and about the weather and JH's health.
Is looking forward anxiously to coming to Collingwood on Friday; the Mint had a surprise visit from the Queen this day.
Comments on the health of MH and daughters Margaret Louisa and Francisca, and then JH complains of his own health problems.
Mostly about a Mrs. [J. A.] Gordon, who has suffered a personal loss [death of her husband], and a young man who seems to be lost.
Mrs. Newton, MH's servant, is being sued by a man who recommended her for the job, and JH is to be a witness in MH's stead.
Writes to MH to insist that JH not come to the meeting [see JH's 1854-3-23].
Profusely thanks GA for his letter [see GA's 1854-3-23]. The family will keep JH at home. Talks about her interest in a nearby mound as a possible ancient site.
Mostly about the court case [see JH's 1854-3-22]; it appears the plaintiff lost.
Describes how to use the telescope at Collingwood, and comments on a number of people, including some of their children.
Complains about the work involved in selecting professors for Melbourne University [see JH's 1854-4-6].