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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.
A summons to a meeting of the Standards Commission, together with some proposals for amending the report.
Does not expect to come to the meeting [see GA's 1841-5-18], but sends comments on altered sections of the draft report.
A note to accompany a number of papers on the 'toleration of inaccuracy,' a question of concern to JH in relation to the setting up of standards.
Informing JH of a meeting of the Commission on Standards at Somerset House on 28 May 1841.
Believes no error should be legally tolerated [see GA's 1841-5-24] in selling goods; thus the seller always provides a trifle over the due quantity.
Regarding JH's examination of the observations of equinoxes and solstices; GA assures him that these occurrences are observed by Cambridge and Greenwich, though JH does not mention it. Hopes he has received the report of the last 'Standards' meeting.
Returning photographs. Hopes Lady Herschel is well. Remarks on Admiralty printing Planetary reductions.
Comments on the reduction of observations, on enclosed photographs, and the health of Margaret Brodie Herschel.
A letter accompanying a proof copy of the Report on Standards, asking JH to read it carefully and annotate as completely as necessary.
Has sent JH's report on N. L. Lacaille's star computations to William Whewell.
GA and JH are on a committee (with Thomas Henderson) of the B.A.A.S. to supervise the reduction of N. L. Lacaille's star observations; JH encloses a draft report.
Asks for JH's comments on George Peacock's assessment that the Report of the Standards Commission [see GA's 1841-7-27] is directed too much to scientific men, and others will not understand it; suggests an appendix to show the relationship between the proposed measures.
Reliability of measuring instruments used in scientific and public surveys. Approves George Peacock's suggestion to revise survey tables for use by non-scientist surveyors. Schools should teach only legalized systems of weights, measures, and money.
Comments on the report [see GA's 1841-8-11]; wants the standards legislation to be demanding of rigor in application.
Has received JH's 'Report' proof regarding JH's description of specific gravity. Captive balloons. Would JH refer him to D. F. J. Arago's experiments on the shadow of a disk.
Is confused by French system of recording specific gravity and seeks GA's assistance; also GA and JH are named to a committee that JH thinks only wastes money.
Complains further about French specific gravity designation [see JH's 1841-8-14 or earlier], and describes observing colored fringes on the edge of clouds.
Comments specifically on the accuracy of surveyors' chains [see JH's 1841-8-13], together with brief comments on a few other matters.
Is fully occupied reducing Cape observations, and is producing a star list by magnitudes, resulting in some interesting anomalies.
Outlines suggestions from [Drinkwater-]Bethune for improving 'Report of Standards.' Bethune distinguished Exchequer, Local, and Parliamentary (or National) standards, and preserved unit called 'land chain' equal to twenty yards.