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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.
Agrees with JH that the Government Observatories at the Cape and St. Helena require mature consideration. Greenwich observations are a different matter and were suggested by the R.S.L. Committee of Physics. Has directed the minute to be sent to JH. Has been studying the wet bulb question.
The magnetic and meteorological observatories were never part of any other system. Is not certain whether the Visitors had anything to do with these observatories. Captain Herbert in an Indian journal has proposed a formula for the wet bulb thermometer. Has arranged for the notice to be sent to JH.
The President was requested to write to the East India Company about the observatories. Continuance of the magnetic observations at Greenwich was referred to the Committee of Physics. Cannot find where Nicolas Clement-Desormes's observations are published. Has been studying the wet bulb problem. Capt. Herbert has denounced the article on hygrometry in Brewster's Encyclopaedia.
Has been with Philip Melvill of the East India Co. discussing the printing of the observations. Would it be a good use of JH's photographic papers to take a reverse of William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) drawings of nebulae? Cannot obtain Nicolas Clement-Desormes's or John Sharpe's papers. Doubts if the mode of measuring latent heat hitherto used can be recommended for accuracy.
Comments on JL's improvements to planetary theory.
JH has arranged for U. J. J. Leverrier, J. C. Adams, and Wilhelm Struve to visit JH together at Collingwood. JH is writing to invite JL to join them.
Thanks JH for the receipt of a report of JH's work.
Thought his letter had miscarried. Thanks for the gift of his recently published work [Cape Results]. Will be glad to supply any information from his own work on comets, which he hopes to send in the course of a few days. Is studying U. J. J. Leverrier's method of development by elimination.
Regarding his own method of calculating the perturbations of the comets. Expense of computation is high for an individual and a mention by JH would bring support for his scheme. Would like to explain his method at an ordinary meeting in January. Every branch of science is facilitated by tables and those he suggests seem most desirable.
Has been considering a reply to JL's letter of the 25th. Outlines two courses to take and prefers the latter himself. Communicate with Richard Sheepshanks regarding the viva voce.
Advice as to best way to present JL's method of calculating the orbits of comets to R.A.S. If JL desires R.A.S. to undertake calculations, might be some difficulty.
Arrangements for JL's presentation to be made to the R.A.S.
Asks whether JL wishes to present method [see JH's 1847-12-4] at next R.A.S. meeting.
Is obliged by his note and will accordingly write to Richard Sheepshanks. Spot on the sun was very visible to the naked eye recently. Looks forward to seeing JH.
Even though he was Vice-Chancellor [of London University], he had no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the internal regulations of the colleges connected with the University. Regarding the education of young children. Sends some music for Lady Herschel. Would like them to pay him a visit.