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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.
Has received dispatches from Bedford at last; hopes that JH has been equally fortunate. Encloses a letter from Mrs. Smyth, which gives amusing details of the anniversary of the R.A.S. Comments at length on the character of Sir James South.
Regarding some queries of N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of Southern Stars. He was severe on Edmund Halley. Can JH inform him if the acorns sent fell off the tree or were beaten off.
Thanks for the acorns; will put them into the ground instantly. Received dispatches from the Admiralty yesterday; also a bag from Bedford. Cannot find the Greenwich Observations for 1830 in the Observatory Library.
Resumed the N. L. Lacaille operation on Saturday. Discusses the position of Lacaille's Observatory. Has obtained an old plan of the area.
Approached Col. R. Thom[p]son on the subject of some rockets, and he advises an official letter to the Officer of Ordnance. Is inclined to use gunpowder instead if JH is agreeable. Hopes Lady Herschel and the new infant are progressing.
Thanks for the perusal of J. A. Lloyd's paper. Has written to him on the subject of the pendulum. Had only one letter from the Elizabeth. No satisfactory news of [Andrew?] Smith's expedition. Unable to make any circumpolar observations due to the deviation of the transit instrument.
Sending some barometric comparisons. Had a narrow escape from Table Mountain fog. Has been quail shooting. P.S. If JH would like to see some quail shooting, join him this or tomorrow evening.
T. W. Bowler came and apologized after JH had gone. May get less trouble from him in the future. Sends the book for JH to look over.
Urging JH to recommend the services of Lieut. James Bance to Gilbert Elliot (2nd Earl of Minto).
Expects an occultation of Jupiter this evening. Hopes JH enjoyed the fine cool breeze of last evening. Another English vessel reported. N.S. Wales acacias are showing signs of ambition.
Readings for the occultation of Jupiter.
Wind is likely to be higher in the evening. Would like JH's views on the effect that the motion of the center of the mural circle has on the readings of the microscopes. Wind was too high last night to observe Zeta Octantes.
Has just finished the observations of Mars and the circle is free from any particular use. Further comments on his query regarding the motion of the center of the mural circle. Would like JH's assistance on the examination. Has had some brass ingots stolen from the observatory.
Sends the projection of Monday's readings and one of those from the lever of contact for comparison; comments on this.
Has replied to Richard Sheepshanks in the Memoirs of the Astronomical Society. Is surprised how near he got to the general figure described by the Circle Centre. Comments on calculations he intends to carry out. Cannot say decidedly that Zeta Octantes is double; it is doubtful seen through the 8-ft. transit.
Has been unable to locate the planetary nebulae; did JH give their places correctly, or is the instrument unequal to the task? Sends a comparison of John Pond's declinations and the Cape Zenith distances. Comments on the latitude of the Cape. The Hungerford got off yesterday.
Much obliged for JH looking over the observations. Comments on these and the accuracy of the Cape circle and mural circle. Will send his observations on Crucis.
Encloses the Brisbane observations. Appears to be a discrepancy in some of the stars.
Has arranged with Lady Herschel for Sir John to spend a night at the Observatory. Come early; then he can reverse the transit instrument. Is not satisfied with the performance of the transit clock. Intends to clean it. Is ready to adopt JH's suggestions for measuring the tides. Curious that JH and [T. G.?] Taylor should suggest similar plans for measuring the divisions of a mural circle.
Has received letters and books from England. Leave of absence of William Meadows and nomination of Piazzi Smyth. Is preparing a packet of observations for England; has JH anything to send?