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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.
Encloses bill, which JH signed, received from J. C. Stewart. JH and family visited Dover with G. B. Airy's family, where JH witnessed noiseless explosion of 18,000 pounds of powder distributed over 18 acres.
Reaches conclusion about Gamma Virginis. States in regard to shape of orbit, 'We are all wrong.' Believes the orbit is less than 150 years. Claims that many errors exist in British measurements made between 1829 and 1834.
Has received the maps. Gives F. W. Bessel's views on the re-arrangement of the constellations which has been proposed. Comments on FB's memorandum.
Sends calculations of Gamma Virginis and determines its eccentricity. Believes the orbit is highly elongated, like that of a comet.
Declines WP's invitation to attend Cork B.A.A.S. meeting and afterwards to visit WP and to see his reflecting telescopes. Informs WP that [C. A. von] Steinheil had written JH about a process of 'Electro-gilding' mirrors for telescopes.
Comments on calculation of orbit of Gamma Virginis; requests any observations EC has of that star.
Finds GA's measurements of Gamma Virginis far away from JH's own, and instructs GA in the best way to measure double star positions.
Devises and suggests mode of micrometric measurement of angles.
Refers to a variety of salts and their reaction to light in the production of photographs. JH hopes that [?] still intends to publish his work in this area.
Received copies of barometer observations. Searching for original data (lists stations) that JH sent to WB. Invites additions to JH's report. Please send account of expenses.
Yesterday's letter was mistakenly sent to WB's former address. Sends copy.
Was unable to visit FB; JH is suggesting some options for FB dealing with the star map, and whether it needs to go to the B.A.A.S. for approval.
JH's theory of barometric waves. Comparison with ocean tides. Non-trade winds follow laws of periodicity and are predictable, accounting for previously unexplained phenomena. Attributes rotating storms to interference of two or more wave trains. Will propose WB as director of new B.A.A.S. project to discover laws of weather behavior. Sends payment for WB's expenses. Never saw anything more beautiful than WB's 'Symmetrical Barometric Curve.'
Has check for WB's expenses.
Sends check. Asks for latitude and longitude of four American observation stations.
Regarding the forthcoming publication of the star catalogues and matters arising. Has written a report on meteorological observations. Sends paper by J. H. Kay on the comet.
Has received a request from the Admiralty to order a new telescope for the Cape observatory; at the same time, JH has received an unsolicited offer of a lens. JH seeks advice and information from GA.
Peter Stewart informed JH of EM's offer to assist JH's son William in obtaining writership appointment in India. JH and wife are deeply grateful. JH's desires for William's future.
[Writing in response to Archbishop [of Canterbury, William Howley]], accepts the honor of being named a Trustee of the British Museum with much gratitude.
Regarding custody of the Standards.