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.
If possible, send a magnetic needle and the prescription for mixing chrome green paint for Mrs. Somerville. Enjoyed visiting JH's mother.
Sends directions for chrome solution and the magnetic apparatus and instructions for its use, as requested [in WS's 1826-8-2]. Discusses experiments with magnets.
Discusses her will.
William Whewell has promised to spend six weeks with him and he hopes that JH will also be able to come for a time.
Observed this morning, for the first time, a comet. Gives readings.
Has just received his letter. Has had no opportunity of examining the iron. Several years ago he made some experiments on the alloys of lead and cast iron, but does not remember the results. Is surprised that no new metal has been found in meteorites.
Has been to the observatory. New comet discovered. Has met P. S. Laplace. Does he know of any tables of logarithms to 10,000?
Is sending on two items directed to JH through WT.
Returns house keys. Smooth passage across Channel. Met James Grahame's brother-in-law, Mr. Robison, who is going to Paris to be married. James South arranged carriage for JH's travels in France. Servant James Child is well and observed four criminals executed in London before departing. News of Beckwiths.
Asks WW to watch over the printing of JH's 'Light' for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. Describes that work as not especially original and as free of historical information. Discusses JH's trip to Calais.