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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.
Apologizes that JH has been to busy to study James Bradley's observations of double stars sent by SR. Has been busy writing on another subject.
About the pressure on JH to complete his book, Prelim. Discourse, and JH's plans about coming to London.
Cannot attend meeting [concerning the Nautical Almanac]. Makes numerous specific recommendations concerning its format and contents. Raises the theoretical question 'Does sidereal time flow uniformly?'
A note sent with a parcel to be delivered; JH's book is progressing well.
Arrangements about JH coming up to London, and the health of his mother.
His views on hearing that he has been nominated for the position of President of the R.S.L. Does not wish to become the president, but will do so if elected.
With great reluctance due to his plans for the future, JH agrees to let his name stand in nomination for the Presidency of the R.S.L.
Would he please send back the proofs he sent the other day as the printers have requested their return. Regarding affairs at the R.S.L. Has he heard from the Treasury?
Concerning the necessity for two observatories in the Southern Hemisphere.
Will not be coming to either meeting [see James Hudson's 1830-12-18], because JH has fully expressed himself previously on the matter of Southern Hemisphere observations, and had already asked to be excused from further association with Glass Committee and any other connection with 'that subject.'
Sending two copies of JH's Prelim. Discourse; keep one and pass one to Charles Babbage. JH tried to cancel the motto for the book but it was too late.
Regrets that JH's statements about Thomas Young have offended Young's wife. Appreciates HG's dilemma. Hopes Mrs. Young will find competent person to write Young's biography. Please return JH's manuscript and destroy copies.
Signing certificates for election to fellowship in the R.S.L. at this time [JH having been nominated for President] would be very awkward for JH, so he will not sign for WT.
Comments on GA's and Edward Sabine's work on the figure of the earth; describes some results JH obtained from using quartz for polarizing light, and is unhappy with the proposed recipient of the R.A.S. medal, M. C. T. Damoiseau, whose lunar theory JH cannot understand.
Regrets lack of time for WH's paper but has been occupied with nebulae and double stars. Finds it difficult to concentrate on one subject. Has proposed Edward Quin for Astronomical Society membership. Mentions [Francis] Beaufort's penchant for astronomy and the recent R.S.L. elections, as well as JH's wish to meet WH personally.
Plans to arrive tomorrow for visit.
Takes a lively interest in his application for a professorship at Durham. Remembers him gratefully as his coach for mathematics while at Cambridge.
Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Wants WS to make a choice between the several skeleton forms JH has devised for recording astronomical observations. Also comments on orbit of Gamma Virginis and 30 Scorpii, as well as Encke's Comet.
Expresses thanks for extract on cholera. Sends a copy of a paper on double stars. Hopes soon to be able to send supplement on double star orbits.