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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.
Is puzzled by JH's use of a word in his volume on astronomy; can he explain its meaning. Points out further misprints. Hopes JH will edit the works of his father [Sir William Herschel].
Rejoices at welcome JH received on returning to England from the Cape. Excellent resources at his disposal at Pulkowa. Mentions coin, commemorating opening of the observatory, sent to JH by means of [H. C.] Schumacher. Refers to [Otto] Struve's work on double stars. Lauds capacity of large refractor at Pulkowa Observatory.
Encloses a letter from [John] Lefroy about an 'outbreak of [solar] spots' observed at a certain time. Speaks of purchasing instruments and of writing to the secretary of the Amer[ican Philosophical?] Society.
Thanks for his long letter regarding education at the Cape. The five teachers have now arrived at the Cape. Comments on education at the Cape. Further regarding the Andries Stockenström affair.
Tells of James Ross's broken instrument at the Cape and of efforts to send new equipment to him. Speaks of [Francis] Beaufort's magnetic observations at sea. Has looked for the memorial in the Athenaeum but does not believe it was published there. Does not know if Humphrey Lloyd is getting married.
Announces that the Quarterly Review has approved JH's article for immediate publication. Relays the message that JH should finish it as soon as possible.
Encloses seven notes from J. C. Ross to Edward Sabine and FB.
Still waits for the instrument that Edward Sabine had built. Wishes to make actinometer observations but has no instrument. Asks JH to have one made. Sends observations from Italy trip to Sabine to present to R.S.L. Continues horary observations.
Explains results obtained by R.S.L. subcommittee considering state of meteorological journal published in R.S.P.T. Wonders about feasibility of establishing 'simple but accurate meteorological register' under public authority.
Possible to purchase 12 postage covers for 11d in the Strand. Points out an apparent error in one of JH's books on sound. How does an open pipe vibrate? Regarding the private character of J. L. Lagrange.
Says the needle of a magnetic instrument has been made heavier as requested by ES. Mentions other instruments and their performances. Remarks on the Quarterly [Review].
Gentleman from Holland, sent by his King, has arrived and is eager to learn about and set up a magnetic observatory in Holland and two or three more in the Dutch colonies. Is excited about the possibility of a South American station. Believes it possible that in a few years there will be maps of all the oceans.
Desires that JH read the enclosed work by Mrs. Sabine about Antarctica.
Encloses some comments of Archibald Smith about C. F. Gauss's General Theory. Believes Smith plans to go on an expedition. Mentions two new magnetometers, the building of a Cape observatory, and the recommendation to the Parliament of Holland to build an observatory.
Is grateful for his paper on the solar spectrum. Hopes he will continue his experiments with light so that posterity may benefit, as would have been the case if Smithson Tennant had persisted with his efforts. Regarding some of the geological theories of the times. Hopes JH will come and stay with them. R. I. Murchison is on the continent.
Describes difficulties in attempting to produce good meteorological register and establish national meteorological observatory.
Thanks JH for reading Mrs. Sabine's work. Discusses the work of C. F. Gauss and his observations regarding the southern hemisphere.
Has received no reply to his previous letters so probably gave an incorrect address.
No objection to JH publishing soundings of J. C. Ross. FB will send JH detailed records of these. Any letters to Ross must arrive by 18 June for dispatch to Hobart Town. FB has copies of Thomas Maclear's correspondence about magnetic observations.
Sending officially the thanks of the Council of the R.A.S. to JH and Caroline Herschel for their gift of the telescope. Hopes JH will convey these thanks to Miss Herschel.