Has been ill. Should we publish our observations of 340 double stars or extend the number to 400?
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 been ill. Should we publish our observations of 340 double stars or extend the number to 400?
Sends paper.
Gives a formula related to a table published in the Nautical Almanac, which table listed various stellar observations made by John Pond.
Sends an abstract of his paper on observations relating to the practical construction of telescopes [JH's 'Practical Rules,' 1822]. Would like 25 copies for distribution. His recent experiments with polarized light.
Previous engagement prevents WW 'joining the early party.'
Unsure whether WW will be in town to dine with JH Monday.
Most correct mode of proceeding will be to suppress incorrect corrections and not to give credit to [T. I. M.?] Forster for inferences of [Peter?] Barlow or calculations of WW.
Has requested the government to forward payment for the clock. Regarding variations in the observations of F. W. Bessel, John Pond, etc. Has high opinion of Bessel's work. Has been sending books for Thomas Catton, but he never replies. How is Greenwich Observatory heated? Some observatories have troubles with dampness. Recommends book by K. W. Feuerbach.
Sends papers for R.A.S. and A. J. Fresnel's papers. Modifies analogy of infinite pipes to clarify TY's hypothesis of three principal colors. Charles Babbage sent survey of Mont Cenis. Can JH find its barometrical observations?
Has been very busy and has only now had a chance to work on the inscription. Suggests various forms. Would like his comments on these.
About meeting Walter Scott, lawsuits and family news.
J. J. von Littrow delighted with clock sent by M & C and commissions JH to order another for L. A. Fallon, director of Great Austrian Trigonometrical Survey. Describes modifications. Contact Littrow for further details.
Asks JH to pay CH's debt to his mother and deduct that amount from next annuity payment to CH.
Sends some calculations relating to the construction of lenses.
Hopes that letter from Mr. Langton does not mean more trouble. Flood has made 'Complete Prisoners' of residents at Slough. Glad that JH bought good horse. Advice on JH's laundry. Caroline Herschel's finances. Concern for Georg Griesbach's health. Regards from Susan White.
Has received parcel from N. M. Rothschild. Hopes money for the Robert Molyneux clock will soon arrive. Encloses some items for him in Thomas Catton's parcel. Please accept Analytical Geometry. Hopes JL's two volumes on astronomy will be translated into English, and encloses copy of additions.
If either of the designs please him, he will be pleased to advise; otherwise explain in detail what he requires.
Some comments on sun spots based on William Herschel's ideas; considering a collection of William Herschel's writings but publishers not interested.
Regarding errors and discrepancies in the tables of F. W. Bessel. Difficulty of dispatching books to foreign members.
Gratified that JH appreciates the astronomical legacy that she left at Slough. Explains that she returned to Hanover because she felt that 'it would be in vain to struggle any longer against age and infirmity.'