Inquires about appropriate person to add to the Cape Observatory staff, if FB can persuade the Admiralty of the need. Thanks JH for his comments on chloride of silver; were much better than W. H. F. Talbot's.
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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.
Inquires about appropriate person to add to the Cape Observatory staff, if FB can persuade the Admiralty of the need. Thanks JH for his comments on chloride of silver; were much better than W. H. F. Talbot's.
CG (Lord Glenelg) raises questions about the suitability of Mr. Train for a position teaching in the government schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
More about paper being published in both the R.S.P.T. and Athenaeum.
Further observations on the alterations at Cape Town Observatory. Any news of the measuring bars?
Questions JH's intent to display 'photogenic drawings' to R.S.L.
Discusses own efforts in meteorology. Must wait to print second edition of work on storms. Appreciates nomination for R.S.L., but has little time for such pursuits.
Asks JH to keep him updated on English research of the dynamics of light. Currently considering the 'propagation' of light waves, as distinguished from their mere 'preservation'; asks whether this is a new study.
Has a few pounds surplus from the subscription for JH's vase and wonders if it could be used to supply a plinth for the pedestal. Does JH agree? Perhaps Lady Herschel can supply the wording.
Wants to withhold description of 'developing' process until it is perfected to obviate others using it. Also refers to second process to make 'positive' and 'negative.'
Asks permission to use information from JH's letter in Astronomische Nachrichten. Believes [Alexander von] Humboldt can explain observational anomalies that JH notes.
Saturday's experiments have brought a severe inflammation of the eyes so has been unable to use the aerolite. Returns it, but will try some experiments later if JH sends it back.
Some comments on JH's light and photography experiments, especially effects of different kinds of glass and fixing with ferrocyanate.
Sends JH pamphlet on intimate connection between a country's zoology and its political statistics. Regrets that JH wished not to be nominated for presidency of R.S.L. on returning from Cape.
Unable to see him as he has another meeting to attend. Regarding the loan of the R.A.S.'s theodolite to Thomas Maclear. Two foreign members have been proposed for the R.A.S.
Introducing John Montague, the Colonial Secretary of Van Diemen's Land.
Will be pleased to examine the dried plants. Send them to the Horticultural Society's Garden, Turnham Green.
Describes mediocre results obtained using ferrocyanate of potash for fixing image. Mentions some other methods, including his favorite, common salt. Asks JH to keep these secret.
Finally had success washing with ferrocyanate. Wants to present note of 'his' processes to R.S.L. and so to the world.
Has been requested by Lord Glenelg [Charles Grant] to propose candidates for teaching positions in the Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Proposes a candidate. Asks for clarification concerning the salaries that will be offered.
Along with the Lord Advocate and other Scotch members of the House of Commons had an interview with [Thomas Spring-?] Rice concerning the enclosed memorial (Observatory of the University). Comments on their proposed plan for the work of the university.