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.
JH plans to explore volcanic districts of Auvergne and Vivarais, then along Rhine to Bonne and Andermatte. Has cancelled plan to cross to Staffa [Scotland] and explore there.
Journey from London and French countryside. Towns and Paris are vastly improved since 1801 visit. Charles Babbage and wife are in Paris. Received letters of introduction from Georges Cuvier, J. N. Nicollet, and J. P. Delessert for JH's expedition to Auvergne. Alexis Bouvard is recovering from fall. Georgianna Babbage has recovered and promised to write to MPH. [Letter continued 4 Sept. in Moulins:] Traveled more than 100 miles today. [Letter continued 5 Sept. in Clermont-Ferrand:] Massive flooding in Riom. Impressive view of volcanoes. [Letter continued 6 Sept.:] Will ascend Puy de Dôme today with two companions.
May choose one of each of the new specimens of Boracite crystals; the remainder send to C. D. E. König at the British Museum, together with the enclosed letter. Is now recovering from his sickness.
Comments on articles recently published on microscopy.
Has received the gift of books for which he is grateful. They have been placed in the library.
Two unwanted companions caused JH to waste two days in Clermont-Ferrand. Describes volcanoes and high winds on peaks. Actinometer experiments on Puy de Dôme. Hunting fossil bones of extinct animals.
About the weather and people in Hastings.
Studying the volcanoes of Auvergne; hopes to use his newly-created actinometer at the Puy de Dôme.
Describes region around St. Flour, where servant James Child was seriously ill for two days. Low opinion of French physicians. Journey to Montpellier.
Thanks WT for bringing to JH Josef Fraunhofer's publications and Franz Gruithuisen's plates. Recounts JH's geologizing in France and JH's efforts to measure solar radiation.
Tour delayed at least one week. Clouds have restricted JH's actinometer experiments on mountains. Describes active volcano and vineyards near Agde. Ancient ruins in Nismes [Nîmes].
Acknowledging the letter informing him of his election to the R.S.L.; unable to attend on 9 Nov. but will attend at the first opportunity after that date.
Geological remarks on the surrounding area and excursions made.
Pleased that JH supports CH's plans for her will. Worries about JH's safety at Puy de Dôme.
Is sending JH some of GP's work, some of it to be forwarded. Refers to a note by GP in some of F. X. von Zach's writings, which GP would like to have added to his memoir being published by the Astronomical Society. GP comments on the status of some of his own astronomical projects.
Discusses construction of his 20-foot reflecting telescope, which he modeled after the 40-foot reflector at Slough. Discusses differences of gallery and asks for advice.