Search: Herschel, John in correspondent 
Maclear, Thomas in correspondent 
John Herschel Project in contributor 
letter in document-type 
1840-1849 in date 
Sorted by:

Showing 120 of 39 items

From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[19 February 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.124
Summary:

Work will begin on obelisk at Feldhausen. Occultation of Gamma1 and Gamma2 Virginis observed. Triangulation survey will take TM away from Royal Observatory for extended time. Slave ship carries small pox and causes outbreak. Parallax observations show brightest stars, not nearest.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[16 March 1840]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Four appointed directors sent to Cape schools. Will leave Slough in two weeks for Collingwood. Laid William Herschel's telescope to rest at Slough.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[25 March 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.126
Summary:

Acknowledges letter requesting land for the Magnetic Observatory. Has a portion of land available in the S.E. corner of the grounds, but it will be necessary to obtain the permission of Rear Admiral George Elliot.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[29 March 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.127
Summary:

Erebus and Terror have arrived in Simon's Bay. Discussed Magnetic Observatory with J. C. Ross, Captain Croper, and F. E. Wilmot, and wrote government requesting funds. Obelisk has not yet reached the Cape. Small pox rages in Cape Town.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 November 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.128
Summary:

Arrived in Zwartland in September. Surveyed grounds; measured baselines. Will be absent from observatory until Zwartland work finished.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 March 1841]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.129
Summary:

Came back from Zwartland for a day, but returns tomorrow. Relates news of the measuring of the base line. Visited magnetic observatory; work in Zwartland not yet complete. Magnetic Observatory satisfactory despite slow construction. No news of the obelisk yet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[4 April 1841]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.130
Summary:

Measuring work of the base line is virtually completed and levelling of the line will commence forthwith. Has devoted every day to the work except Sundays. Comments on various aspects of the work. F. E. Wilmot wishes he had not returned the rusty dip bar. Obelisk is on board the Romeo.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[20 January 1842]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Congratulates TM on work at Zwartland. Fears Cape Results will not be ready within the year.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[28 March 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.131
Summary:

Received JH's constellation reform paper. Reports on triangulation at Zwartland and observations of possible variable stars. Obelisk at Feldhausen erected; relates controversies over the site.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 December 1843]
Source of text:
RAS:JH Archive 3/1.1.2; Reel 7
Summary:

Recent travels. Dangers and difficulties of triangulation survey. Observations of variable brightness of Eta Argus. [Letter continues 29 December] Returned from 'Pequet Brig,' leaving C. P. Smyth with theodolite. Events in colony. Sending observations of Encke's Comet for R.A.S. Observations of 'great comet of March.' News of Nathaniel Wallich and family. Sends 'plan of the Herschel obelisk drawn by Smyth.' Details of obelisk. Progress on observations of 'Parallax stars.' Organized system to prevent mistakes in calculating and copying meridian work.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[1844]
Source of text:
RS:HS 25.15.14
Summary:

States the case for the accuracy of the observations and reports of the discoveries of the sixth and seventh satellites of Saturn made by JH's father, William. [This letter seems to be tied to JH's 1844-7-22 in terms of date of writing.]

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[21 July 1844]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Tries to obtain equatorial telescope for Cape Observatory. Works only on Cape Results and his children's education. Mentions reforms in southern constellations. Announces birth of seventh daughter [Mathilda Rose].

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[22 July 1844]
Source of text:
TxU:H/L-0242; Reel 1054 (Cdraft: RS:HS 25.15.13 inc)
Summary:

'Penny Post' is deluging JH with nuisance mail. Reviews JH's efforts to obtain object glass for equatorial telescope at Cape of Good Hope. Trying to convince G. B. Airy to purchase from Merz and Mahler in Munich, rather than from William Simms. Russia is using TM's 'Cape Arc' in survey of its entire country.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 September 1844]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Attempts to determine light curve of Eta Argus; describes methods for determining magnitude. C. P. Smyth uses R.A.S. theodolite telescope. TM will triangulate Bushman Flat. Parallax work at Cape Observatory continues. Reports progress of new government Secretary, [John] Montague.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 September 1844]
Source of text:
RAS:JH Archive 3/1.1.13; Reel 7
Summary:

Magnitude changes in Eta Argus. Compares methods for measuring brightness. Difficulties completing 'sector observations.' C. P. Smyth's problems with theodolite at Cape Agulhas. Mrs. [Mary] Maclear recovering after serious illness. New roads and bridges in colony.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 November 1844]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.132
Summary:

Observed Comet Mauvais. Is grateful for JH's intervention on Observatory matters. Extra Meridian Instruments defective. Continues observations of variables. F. E. Wilmot's land survey cancelled. Magnetic survey progressing. Mary Maclear ailing.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[1845-4-22 or later]
Source of text:
TxU:H/L-0240; Reel 1054
Summary:

Privately acknowledges lack of clarity in William Herschel's report of discovering Saturn's inner rings, but JH was hurt by James South's public refutation of that discovery and by [T. R.] Robinson's abrupt refusal to communicate. Reviews WH's papers to demonstrate falsity of South's claim. Asks TM's opinion.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[4 May 1845]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Remarks on observation of new comet. Discord in R.A.S. follows Francis Baily's death. C. P. Smyth will leave Cape after being appointed Astronomer Royal to Scotland. Glass for Cape equatorial tested. JH has no success appealing for continuation of Colonial Survey. Southern constellation reform compromised.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Thomas Maclear
Date:
[31 December 1845]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Karl Hencke discovers the asteroid Astrea. Admiralty orders complete equatorial for Cape Observatory; JH explains delay. Complains of poor health.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 January 1846]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.133
Summary:

Observatory work slowed since William Mann's absence due to head injury. C. P. Smyth's replacement not yet arrived. Regrets lack of assistants; wants to complete triangulation at Bushman Flat.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project