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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.
Answers questions raised by RS concerning the preface JH was writing for N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars. Objects to JH being seen as responsible for the contents of the book itself, even though he served on the first two B.A.A.S. committees dealing with the reduction of Lacaille's stars.
Asks RS to check the background of Samuel B. Lamb, who wants to lease JH's house at Slough.
Invites RS to dinner in Collingwood on 10 [July], as F. G. W. Struve will be there. U. J. J. Leverrier may also come, but G. B. Airy and John Lubbock cannot attend.
Suggests RS visit Hawkhurst ca. 12 July as U. J. J. Leverrier, F. G. W. Struve, and J. C. Adams will be visiting. Suggests RS come with [W. R.] Dawes. JH's book [Cape Results] is nearly ready for private distribution. Asks RS that JH be allowed to tell parties, to whom a copy of the engraving of JH's portrait will be given, that it is a gift from RS, lest JH be considered immodest for giving his own 'effigy.'
Gives information from W. R. Hamilton on the location of the asteroid Iris. Proposes R.A.S. begin collecting observations of sunspots, the goal being a complete series of 'the sun's aspect for every day of every year.' Offers the observations of H. Griesbach for 1846 as a 'nest egg' as well as some of his own. Requests address of G. Schwinck, who prepared a star atlas. Reports on F. G. W. Struve's Neptune observations.
The comet should bear Maria Mitchell's name. If [Francesco] DeVico 'grumbles,' RS could note that Madame Rümker also discovered the comet on [Oct] 3rd. 'What was there in it to attract the eyes of the female part of the creation so especially?'
Likes RS's R.A.S. associate list. Must give the Americans a year or two more before it can be adequately ascertained who their top astronomers are. Sends a letter JH received from John Lubbock, who wants the opportunity in January to present new methods in perturbation theory. Responds to RS on the means of the R.A.S. recognizing significant contributions to astronomy.
Adds list of names for consideration as foreign associates [of the R.A.S.], including Americans. Changes in John Lubbock's requirements for his project.
Asks RS to summarize T. G. Taylor's contributions to astronomy. Hopes to assist Taylor's widow and family.
Praises RS for work on R.A.S.M.N. Will arrive in time for the R.A.S. council meeting. Has heard nothing of John Lubbock's paper or lecture, except through J. C. Adams. Fears that before the R.A.S. anniversary, it will lose one of its female associates, his aunt Caroline.
RS will receive two communications for the R.A.S., one from S. C. Walker on Neptune's elements, the other from Otto Struve on the interior satellite of Uranus. Walker's could go into the R.A.S.M.N., whereas Struve's ought be read at a regular meeting. Recommends reading of William Lassell's work on Neptune's satellite as it predates Struve's. Caroline Herschel died on the 9 [Jan.] at age 98.
Recommends that the form that a testimonial should take would be the presentation of a parchment bearing the seal of the R.A.S. rather than a bound book.
JH must arrange for the celebration of Bishop's Observatory. Needs information on its equipment, achievements, and staff, e.g., on W. R. Dawes's and J. R. Hind's observations. Will contact Hind.
Returns [Max] Weisse's manuscript. He must say something about it and so has swallowed 'whole hog' what RS had written about it. Will make a mess [in his R.A.S. address] of John Lubbock's work on perturbations.
Paramatta Observatory has been broken up and is now defunct.
Unable to chair the [R.A.S.] meeting on Friday. On various persons proposed as R.A.S. associates or honorary members. Has recently been busy reading newspapers: 'There seem to be 2 worlds going on at once and it is not easy to keep up with both.'
Read enclosure and judge what changes it will necessitate regarding 'S.'s [H. C. Schumacher?] position'. Wrote to 'S.' to tell him that as far as JH is concerned, JH is ready to act on any suggestion 'S' may make regarding the king.
Is leaving for Norwich to return on the 25th. Leave the forms with [John] Williams and JH will sign them. Will leave his letters to have the R.A.S. seal affixed. [Thomas] Taylor has died; can RS tell him who is likely to 'offer for the place' [Madras Observatory] and what its 'appointments' are.
Sends letter of Lord P [Palmerston, i.e., Henry John Temple] on 'Ch. Reventlow's [Count de Reventlow, Danish Ambassador to London?] case.' Comments on the present political situation and the causes for conflict, citing William Shakespeare.
JH replies to RS's 1849-1-15.