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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.
Is unable to come to London for the Standards Commission meeting and thus will also not be able to come to the dinner party. Encloses some recent photographs.
Comments on a paper on the calotype by W. H. F. Talbot, adding some experiences of his own on the subject.
Comments on Louis Daguerre's work, and on the question of a North Cape observatory.
As the Committee is to meet on Thursday he thinks it should reconsider its decision not to publish W. H. F. Talbot's paper on the Calotype process. Gives reasons as stated in a letter he has received from Talbot.
Placed JH's letter before the Committee of Papers but the Committee did not change its views regarding the publication of W. H. F. Talbot's paper. Is pleased JH is promoting his experiments so successfully.
Comments on balloon ascent report, photographic paper made with vegetable colors, and the need to provide a polarizing crystal to J. B. Biot.
Mostly news of JH's family; JH inquires as to the state of health of JL's mother.
J. F. Daniell informs JL that the table was calculated by William Galbraith. James Apjohn states everyone is in agreement that the absolute heat of steam is constant, but JL disagrees. Intends raising the matter of John Southern's experiments at the next meeting of the B.A.A.S.
JH expresses some concern about the accuracy of a wet bulb thermometer, as he is not clear about the nature of the experimental base for its use.
Obliged by JH's letter. Would he let him know what he thinks of raising the matter of repeating John Southern's experiments. His own eldest son has gone to Langley; he shows little aptitude for figures but a decided turn for Natural History.
Promises to become more knowledgeable about [heat?] theory in order to be able to discuss it with JL. Cautions that the subject is an intricate one.
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?
JH comments on JL's 'memoir on the heat of vapours,' indicating JH's dissatisfaction with the experimental basis (the experimental work of J. L. Gay-Lussac) for the conclusions. JH offers improvements in the construction and operation of the ice calorimeter.
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.
Has received the books. Began with Karl Holtzmann's and finds the reasoning at fault. Comments on this. [Marked 'not sent.']
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.