Thanks JF for second edition of work on the Alps. Praises first edition.
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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.
Thanks JF for second edition of work on the Alps. Praises first edition.
Comments, after delays due to busyness, on JH's queries on the calibration of actinometers and gives results of experiments.
Believes all actinometric measurements made are useless because they did not take into account the rate of expansion of the liquid, which is not constant.
Sympathizes with JH's feelings of regret over actinometer readings. Has procured a new thermometer and carried out experiments toward correction of actinometers.
Asks for details of several actinometers.
Gratitude for gift of JH's Cape Results. Just returned from geological tour of highlands with [Bernhard] Studer from Bern [Switzerland]. Hopes to purchase Madame Witte's 'model of the Moon...for Edinburgh,' if it has not been bought in London. Observed Neptune at Oxford in company with U. J. J. Leverrier, J. C. Adams, and Wilhelm Struve.
Thanks for medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Regarding the possibility of a new edition of JH's Treatise Astr. originally published in Lardner's Cyclopaedia. Has found it very useful for his students.
Comments on JH's Treatise Astr. in the Cabinet Cyclopaedia, mentioning its continued publication, misstatements he wishes to correct, and his addition of A. de Gasparis's newly-discovered planet [Hygeia].
B.A.A.S. and Royal Society of Edinburgh have been approached to apply to the government for finance to send an observer and reflector to the Cape Observatory. Does JH think this advisable, with his knowledge of conditions at the Cape?
Agrees that it would be desirable to make further observations at the Cape, but foresees difficulties, especially liaison with the Astronomer Royal at the Cape.
[Responding to JF's 1849-11-23], JH cautiously discusses various considerations bearing on the idea of sending an astronomer and a large reflecting telescope to the Cape.
Calls JF's attention to an article in which an answer is attempted to JF's objection to 'the argument from probability of a physical connection between individuals of a double star.'
Describes travels through a volcanic district in France, highlighting beautiful scenery, various rock and lava formations, analyzing their causes, and comparing JH's observations with JF's.
Was pleased by JH's favorable opinion of his paper on the Vivarais. Finds JH's arguments concerning [John] Michell's theory of probabilities unconvincing. Will soon write a paper on the problems.
Asks JF to deliver papers about professorships and a council position at a new university at Sydney to interested, qualified parties.
Regrets he has not been able to find anyone suitable for the chair of chemistry and natural philosophy at Sydney University.
Letter of introduction for the Drs. Hermann and Robert Schlagentweit, whose scientific interests parallel JF's.
Thanks JF for his dissertation on the Progress of Mathematical and Physical Science. Discusses health of JF and JH. Suggests that some actinometric measurements are not as seriously flawed as at first thought [see JH's 1847-3-1].
Asks if JF's article on glaciers is for Encyclopaedia Britannica. Requests that JF change a computational error in his copy of JH's article on meteorology.