Has taken some time to consider the climate at the Cape in response to JH's request. Gives details of the climate, suitability of site for observatory, and general conditions at the Cape. There is a reasonable library at Cape Town.
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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.
Has taken some time to consider the climate at the Cape in response to JH's request. Gives details of the climate, suitability of site for observatory, and general conditions at the Cape. There is a reasonable library at Cape Town.
Thanks for his last letter. Assures him he has no bitter feelings over the spirit of David Brewster after his disappointment of the election. May make any use he wishes of his actinometer results. Intends going over to France in a month's time, but is very busy at the present time.
Observations on the work of S. D. Poisson and P. G. le D. Pontecoulant. Is JH's 20-ft. telescope any use for measuring angles and distances? Discussion of solar spots.
The first evening party is on Saturday, and hopes JH will be able to come.
Sends some specimens of aloes and calocynth with some remarks on them. Also sends some sugar made by evaporating the cane juice under diminished pressure. Inquired from J. Lister regarding the elasticity of hardened steel wire.
Sending his sextant and instructions for its use, which he will doubtless find useful. Also a copy of James Horsburgh's Directions. Has not heard from Captain Hardy regarding the rope. Advises boxes covered in mackintosh. Plans to publish his book on Saturday.
Has resolved to leave the Cape and soon after JH receives this letter he hopes to be in England. Will bring the barometer and the exterior thermometer. Saw Dr. Duncan Stewart yesterday.
Formal note and stamp acknowledging receipt of £50 annuity from estate of William Herschel, sent by executor JH, followed by note to JH on arrangements for sending such payments. Asks for news about Stewart family.
Has acquired a 7-ft. Newtonian telescope of William Herschel made in 1802. Is well preserved but the speculum appears to be tarnished. Would like to bring it to London to obtain JH's advice on its shortcomings. Is going to France to collect the actinometers and the results of L. F. Kämtz.