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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.
Will find the reference to S. D. Poisson in his own paper on the Heat of Vapours. The subject is in a state of confusion. John Southern's experiments are detailed in John Robison's Mechanical Philosophy, which can be sent from the R.S.L. library if JH does not possess it already.
Much obliged for JH calling but regrets he was out. The question [on steam] they have been discussing seems to be answered by a paper by a Prof. Karl Holtzmann he has just come across; comments on this. If JH is coming to S. J. A. Compton's (2nd Marquis of Northampton) soiree will he come and dine at St. James' Place?
Was not aware when he wrote his paper that doubt existed regarding the invariability of [the absolute heat of steam?]. Comments on the variations in the theories of S. D. Poisson and Karl Holtzmann. The experiments JH suggests would be highly interesting. Would he like to see Holtzmann's paper?
Has no doubt that any improvements JH suggests should be published. [John?] Taylor has borrowed Holtzmann's pamphlet, which will be sent as soon as returned. Karl Holtzmann's formula for air appears quite out. Gabriel Lamé evades the question. If JH writes anything on his calorimeter hopes he will mention the various questions raised.
Further regarding the various theories on the latent heat of steam. Agrees with JH regarding the magnetic observations. Hudson's Bay Company has sent a large bill for J. H. Lefroy's expenses, which the R.S.L. declines to pay. Fears that Edward Sabine is out of humor about something.
Now sees JH's point regarding the theory of steam. Comments on various experiments. Glad to see JH approves of repeating John Southern's experiments. Unable to go to Cambridge; his banking business requires unceasing attention. Doing all he can about the observations. Council will take up the East India observations.
Is JH aware that the magnetic and meteorological observations now being made at Greenwich are to cease at the end of the year? As JH was zealous for these observations he may care to write to S. J. A. Compton (2nd Marquis of Northampton). It escaped his notice that S. D. Poisson and J. B. Biot referred to saturated steam. Return John Robison and Karl Holtzmann to Mansion House when he has read them. Has consulted Thomas Graham about repeating John Southern's experiments.
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.