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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.
Objection to G. B Airy's suggestion unexpected. Will see Dean of Ely [George Peacock] soon. Must review foreign letters to be sure none of consequence were omitted. Sends copy of the Toronto meteorology.
Observations from H.E.I.C. stations were supposed to be sent to foreign secretary of R.S.L. Prospects for persuading H.E.I.C. to reduce and publish these. Best methods of publication. Toronto volume should be available next week. Report by W. R. Birt was delayed.
How to obtain copies of H.E.I.C. observations. Humphrey Lloyd never intended to process data from H.E.I.C. observatories; these were added to survey after Lloyd's original (1838) offer to superintend B.A.A.S. observations. Sends copy of Toronto volume to JH to use as model for H.E.I.C. publications. Asks for JH's suggestions for Arctic observations next winter. Encloses note from [T. R.] Robinson in Parsonstown.
Lists 17 foreign and six English scientists to whom ES sent JH's letter and Toronto volume.
Forwards reply from C. R. Weld explaining why Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations were not sent to English and foreign scientists involved in global survey.
JH's influence worked; J. W. Lubbock asked ES for list of recipients for Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations. Preparations for new Arctic expedition. Will give copies of JH's letter to F. M. E. Wilmot and J. H. Kay. New observatory at Colombo [Ceylon]. Problem defining seasons for observations at St. Helena. Reply from W. E. Weber [to JH's circular].
Actinometers are 'counterordered.' Reply from H. W. Dove to JH's circular. Problem defining seasons for tropical stations. Concerned that some authorities are reaching decision to extend or to terminate magnetic observations before receiving and reading Toronto volume. Failure of R.S.L. to send Greenwich magnetic and meteorological observations to appropriate recipients. Details of J. H. Lefroy's magnetic survey for Hudson's Bay Company, and misunderstanding over who would pay for Lefroy's transportation. Efforts by F. M. E. Wilmot to obtain ship for survey of [Cape of Good Hope]. ES concurs with Treasury's suggestion that copy of Toronto volume be sent to each colony. Observations of nebulae by T. R. Robinson.
Encloses letters from H. W. Dove, A. T. Kupffer, and L. A. J. Quetelet. Dove is not familiar with methods used in Toronto.
Receiving replies [to JH's circular] from English and foreign correspondents. George Peacock sent them invitations to B.A.A.S. meeting at Cambridge. Suggests defining tropical 'seasons' by monsoon activity. Board of Ordnance sent copy of Toronto volume to each British colony.
JH misunderstood ES's method for organizing St. Helena meteorological observations. Problem defining seasons for tropical stations. Received more replies to JH's circular. Difficulty of making hourly observations in European observatories, where civilian assistants are employed. Does not agree with Humphrey Lloyd that self-registering instruments will soon replace observers. Invited [L. F.] Kämtz to [B.A.A.S. meeting at] Cambridge. Believes that Elias Loomis will become leading meteorologist in U.S.
Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot] forgot about publication arrangements. Lt. [Home?] and Lt. [?] Clark left Cape of Good Hope for Antarctica on 9 Jan. Reply from C. F. Gauss. German copies of Toronto observations were delayed in Cologne.
Reply from G. A. Erman to JH's circular is best one yet received. Erman recommends calculating magnetic constants of 1829. ES suggests grant from B.A.A.S. to fund this. Alexander Humboldt will reply soon. Charles Wheatstone should describe new apparatus in letter to JH that can be sent to observatories.
Received reply from Karl Kreil in letter from Count Senftenberg, who owns private magnetic and meteorological observatory east of Prague run by Kreil's former assistant. ES asks JH to write letter to Clemens von Metternich, as requested by Senftenberg. High regard for Kreil's work.
Will invite G. A. Erman to act as B.A.A.S. commissioner in reduction of 1829 Gaussian constant. Will try to remedy misconceptions of G. B. Airy. T. M. Brisbane will not get involved. Testing new magnetic instrument by Humphrey Lloyd for Arctic expedition. Invite C. F. Gauss to Cambridge.
Received thirteen replies to JH's circular; nine remain unanswered. Suggests printing these, before they are published by B.A.A.S, and distributing these along with second circular by JH.
H. U. Addington will send JH's letter to Clemens von Metternich via Robert Gordon, English minister to Vienna. JH may include George Peacock's signature also. Printer will send proofs of replies to JH's circular to JH for corrections. JH's estimate for expenses for observatories is too high. Sent copy of JH's circular to Charles Wheatstone.
Published opinions on magnetic and meteorological survey should be restricted to correspondents who were directly involved in observations, particularly foreign participants. Most others may express their views at B.A.A.S. meeting in Cambridge. Recommends omitting M. F. Maury's letter and including that of J. M. Gilliss.
ES will write to M. F. Maury. Concurrence of both R.S.L. and B.A.A.S. is needed before congress is announced. Proofs of foreign responses to JH's circular will be ready next week.
Response to questions on magnetic circular sent out by JH [see JH's 1844-12-5].
Evaluates in a detailed manner the magnetical and the meteorological observations organized by the British at various overseas locations. Makes many specific recommendations, generally supporting their continuation.