Wishes to obtain copy of JH's observations of sun spots at Cape of Good Hope.
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.
Wishes to obtain copy of JH's observations of sun spots at Cape of Good Hope.
Elizabeth Sabine's translation of [Alexander von Humboldt's] Cosmos is nearly complete. Hopes JH will accept invitation to review it in Edinburgh Review. Encloses account of great disturbance of December.
Presents to the R.A.S. a drawing of solar spots made during 1843.
Discusses whether John Couch Adams should receive the Copley Medal for his work in the attempted discovery of Neptune.
Reports organization of N. L. Lacaille's star catalog. Suggests method by which to compare this with Thomas Henderson's figures to determine Henderson's method of computation.
Is trying to straighten out the origin of the R.A.S., and giving appropriate credit.
Regarding the revision of the nomenclature of the constellations. Its effect on the printing of the star catalogues.
Reports on a visit to Grandma [Emilia Stewart]; may go to Cambridge; sends MH a draft beginning of a review of Alexander von Humboldt's Kosmos.
Accepts with thanks J. Henry Griesbach's drawings of solar spots. Encourages others to observe the sun. Suggests the use of photography in recording solar spots. Pledges to give the R.A.S. all JH's drawings of solar spots.
Encloses post office order; not knowing WG's 'Christian' name; hopes that WG can sign 'William.' Apologizes for being unable to attend 'the Dinners.'
Agrees to inclusion of his initials in WW's Verse Translations and to vote for Prince Albert in some Cambridge election. Comments on the 'mess' in the R.A.S. over awarding its medal for 1848.
Thanks WW for the supplemental dedication to JH in the second edition of WW's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences. Is making slow progress correcting JH's Cape Results.
Longmans reckons on 60 pages for the next number so would JH have his article ready to time.
Recommendations on how best to make tidal observations.
Explains combined British and foreign postage rate applied to JH's letter, which has been forwarded to France. [JH annotation on verso about actinometer.]
Sends extracts of a letter from H. C. Schumacher. Does not agree with Schumacher regarding F. W. Bessel's 'specific attraction.'
Has been investigating the Cavendish experiments recently repeated by Francis Baily. Thinks G. B. Airy has neglected the resistance of the air in his mathematical theory. Would like to send an abstract of his investigations so that JH can judge their merits.
Recounts discussion in R.A.S. council regarding how the Society's medal should be awarded in response to the discovery of Neptune. U. J. J. Leverrier led J. C. Adams in the voting, but did not receive enough votes.
Needs someone to translate German/Latin letters; about James Ross's polar expedition.
Will do what he can for J. C. Gerhardt. Appears to be unfair regarding Isaac Newton and G. W. Leibniz. Is working on a list of writings in arithmetic.