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 a package of books from JH, some of which will be sent on as instructed. Is interested in the work of JH and James South on double stars. Also comments on parallax measure of the sun and on transits of Venus. Wants to respond to P. S. Laplace's theory of Jupiter and Saturn.
About JG's children and his plans to move to Hastings.
Accepts dinner invitation. Hopes no emergencies arise that would prevent their visit.
Has received JH's letter informing him that he has been made an associate member of the Astronomical Society. Is very grateful for this honor.
Reports on interest at the Astronomical Society, especially of [Thomas J.] Hussey, in the plan of the Berlin Academy for a new star chart. JH cannot participate due to JH's commitment to re-examine his father's nebulae, which requires that JH reside far from London.
Reports the death of Giuseppe Piazzi.
About plans to spend the winter at Hastings.
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.
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.