Received a note yesterday giving the news that the French fleet is contemplating an action against Jonathan. The comet showed itself last night, but not long enough to obtain an observation.
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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.
Received a note yesterday giving the news that the French fleet is contemplating an action against Jonathan. The comet showed itself last night, but not long enough to obtain an observation.
Mrs. Maclear's letter is not ready so it will have to travel by the Aerolite. Children have still escaped the measles.
Hears that JH is contemplating a rotatory roof for his telescope at the Cape. Sends details of a method he has devised for his own observatory. Will send a drawing of it next week. Will be pleased to show it to JH if he is that way.
Wife has been ill, which accounts for his belated reply. Comments on the pros and cons of taking furniture to the Cape. May leave the infant at home. Has received the plan of the observatory from Francis Beaufort.
Hears that Thomas Henderson is in town and thinks of bringing him down to Slough. Intends to take some iron bedsteads to the Cape; can JH advise him where they may be obtained?
Has been residing with [Robert?] Lee at Hartwell for a few days. Hears that JH and Benjamin D'Urban will be travelling to the Cape on the Elphinstone; is this true?
Visited the Elphinstone and estimated the amount of room required for his family. Offered £300 but offer was refused.
Has given up the attempt to travel on the same ship with JH as it proved too expensive. Will now travel on the Andromache next Saturday; has only a few days to obtain the necessary stores.
Have embarked on the Tam O'Shanter but had to put back because of the violent gales. All have been seasick except TM. Outlines domestic necessities for a long voyage. Will JH bring a collimator from [Thomas] Jones of Charing Cross. Hopes JH will interest D'Urban in celestial matters. Many cockroaches on board.
Have had a dreadful time since Wednesday. Gives list of instructions for a voyage; plenty of candles. Finds the poop cabins very pleasant.
Feels uneasy giving response to members of expedition into interior, who requested government instruments, until TM hears from Admiral [Frederick] Warren and judges expedition's chances for success. Asks JH's opinion.
Heat has driven Mrs. Maclear to leave a card with Lady D'Urban. Sends the state of the barometer and thermometer for the last three days. Stars were in capital form for the telescope last night. Has retained the list of furniture of Major Ross.
Points out errors in his own chronometer. Gives thermometer and barometer readings. The work of the bricklayers is very slow. Is obliged for the drawing of the nebula.
The chronometer can remain at the Grove for the time being; it seems to preserve a more uniform rate than the transit clock.
Invites Herschels and Dr. Duncan Stewart to dine with TM. Would like to compare their barometers. Would like also to show JH his own investigation on the mural circle. Has procured a chameleon.
Congratulations on his success. With JH's information he soon detected the fellow in the mural circle. Gives readings. As the sky is clear he will have another night at the mural circle.
Giving details of his facial paralysis.
Gives news of his seizure. Gives readings for JH's nebulae. William Meadows will point out the observations in the transit book.
Has taken the liberty of sending James Fayrer with his levers for JH's advice.
Has decided to put the dinner party off until Monday due to the wet weather. Is working hard at the reductions. Is indebted to the Herschels for the use of their carriage.