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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 not heard of any results of JH's letter to D. F. J. Arago, but Georges Aimé has been appointed to direct an observatory in Algiers. Great interest at the Institute when JH's letter was read. Glad he did not waste a second letter to the Times.
Has received JH's letter with the sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell. Comments on these. Is honored by the notice JH has taken of his share in the magnetic project. Encloses note on the wet bulb [thermometer].
Has just received JH's letter of August as he has been traveling on the continent. Will see G. B. Airy tomorrow. Comments on Johann von Lamont's observatory at Munich. Discussed the Report of the Magnetic arrangements with Edward Sabine. Encloses letters. L. A. J. Quetelet would like support from the R.S.L. for additional observers in his observatory.
Regarding the publication of the magnetical and meteorological observations. Wonders if a letter from JH to the appropriate bodies would prove useful. Will give early consideration to the plan.
Took the chair at a meeting of the Committee for Physics at the R.S.L. Is to bring the matter before Council, who in turn will request the Master of Ordnance to publish the observations. Material from each observatory will require about half of a quarto volume.
Forwards papers relating to the Aden Observatory; please return, with any comments, to Col. W. H. Sykes. Submits suggestions for monthly information and comments on various topics.
Gives brief details of the work of the magnetic observations since JH's last record. Arrangements have been completed for the publication of some of the observations.
Thinks that there should be more definite instructions for the Directors of the Magnetical Observatories. Has drawn up a paper, which if JH agrees with, can be signed and printed for distribution. Points out the significant parts. There should be a common nomenclature for the weather.
Thinks it necessary to revise the instructions for the magnetic observations. Makes some suggestions for the Report of the Committee.
Has just received JH's circular. Was not fully aware of the labor involved in drawing up the Report of the Council. Needs a new edition of the part concerning the fixed observatories. Outlines method for new edition. Sabine should be responsible for the material on Magnetic Surveys.
Approves of proposal by A. T. Kupffer and Edward Sabine for international magnetic congress under JH's leadership. [Reply to JH's 1844-7-22 to HL.]
Not acquainted with proposal by A. T. Kupffer. Replies to queries by B.A.A.S. committee regarding continuation of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Expects self-registering instruments to supersede human observers soon.
Reviews establishment of H.E.I.C. observatories and comments on quality of magnetic and meteorological observations at Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Has heard nothing from A. B. Orlebar, director of Bombay observatory.
Activities at H.E.I.C. magnetic and meteorological observatories in Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Results from Simla, elevation 8000 feet, will complement high altitude observations in Europe. Vertical force instrument at Singapore is better than at all other stations, but high humidity there makes actinometer unreliable.
Responds to questions on magnetic circular sent out by JH [see JH's 1844-12-5]. Comments on continuing government funding for global system of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Suggests goals for future observers.
Proposed date for B.A.A.S. meeting creates difficulty for HL. Assurance that no one other than JH could have provided such vital leadership for global magnetic survey. Doubts that [James] McCullagh could serve committee well; suggests [J. D.] Forbes instead.
Did not realize his question would require so much of JH's valuable time to answer. Hopes to introduce some safe German Philosophy into the appropriate departments at Trinity College. Will look into the Lehrbuch.
Received his letter enclosing Edward Sabine's a few days ago on returning home. Busy at College; otherwise would have written. Could have attended a meeting of Committee of Physics had he known. Discovery of the new planet is a triumph. Has he heard of the attempt to destroy the telescope of William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse)?