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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 Charles Lyell is the man to give an evening at Southampton. Richard Owen is giving the other evening lecture. Suggests that Lyell lecture on the United States. Regarding leaders for the other sections.
Wonders how [Christian?] Schönbein, who is in London, could best exhibit explosives. Hopes RM will attend upcoming meeting; [William] Stratford, who is ill, cannot. [Francis] Baily, [Thomas] Henderson, and [R.] Harris have died working on 'fatal' catalogue Stratford is doing.
Received JH's letter without the enclosure from C. P. Schönbein, but has now received a letter from Schönbein. Has advised him to come to the Southampton meeting. Has written his discourse and would welcome a paragraph from JH on physical science and on some of the foreigners expected at the meeting. What can he say about Carlo Matteucci? Had letter from William Whewell, who wishes to meet H. C. Oersted.
Thanks for his letter and C. F. Schönbein's. Will go on board the Excellent via rail to Gosport. Encloses what he has written on Michael Faraday for JH's amendments. Regarding the dinners at the meeting.
On fitness of Michael Faraday, as a chemist and physicist, to chair B.A.A.S. section. Remarks on [H. C.] Oersted's identifying electricity and magnetism, and connection between Oersted's and Faraday's work. Further comments on Faraday's work, and on instances of rash observation ultimately proving correct.
To help RM, who must speak about [F. W.] Bessel, writes of Bessel's astronomical accomplishments.
Thanks for his letter and the enclosure of Dr. Andrew Smith. Will now write to C. R. Darwin. Can now wait on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Returned from Continent in September, discovered JH's gift of JH's Cape Results. Grateful for this memento of friendship. Hopes JH received memoirs from [Giovanni] Plana, which RM sent from Turin. Notes on transition from Cretaceous to Miocene in Alps and Apennines.
Proposes priorities for allocating £1000 granted to R.S.L. by government. Disagrees with RM and Edward Sabine; R.S.L. should not assume responsibility for observatory or any other permanent institution.
Has been requested to serve on committee on R.S.L. government grant [see JH's 1850-2-15] and to draw up report to council for adoption on next day. JH declines request but offers opinions, suggestions, and a resolution.
Has received report of R.S.L. grant committee, noting that it did not adopt three of his recommendations. Asks questions. Is glad that RM and Charles Babbage are again on friendly terms.
Thanks for clarifications on grant comments [see JH's 1850-3-14]. JH's work is plentiful and time is short, so wishes not to undertake public projects, like working on R.S.L. grant committee. Received RM's enclosure regarding Russian Academy. Has heard nothing about medal committee.
Requests copy of RM's lecture on distribution of gold, and further information on value of it and silver. Asks specific questions about Russian gold.
Gives RM a letter from Charles Bell [see Bell's 1851-10-28] on a geological map and collection prepared by Andrew Bain. Suggests the British Museum might wish to purchase Bain's collection of fossils.
Interested in RM's statements on various subjects, including gold diggings and the 'declension of California Produce.'[?]
Cannot introduce a Mr. Grant to overly 'pressed' Mint assayers. Will help Grant as far as possible, but returns 'excellent' testimonials, having no part in 'manning' possible Australian mint.
Sending an account of a 'certain Dr [David] Livingstone.' JH agrees with Thomas Maclear that Livingstone deserves encouragement. Has received RM's testimonial on behalf of [Frederick] McCoy.
Asks JH's opinion about distribution of government fund for advancement of science handed over to R.S.L.
Thanks for resolutions regarding distribution of government aid, particularly JH's dwelling on good example of B.A.A.S. Discusses proceedings of distribution committee meeting. [Marked 'Private'.]
Describes proceedings of government aid distribution committee meeting. JH's letter was so well-received JH was elected committee member. Asks JH to write example-illustrated report of resolutions and to be committee's orator.