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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.
Apologizes for not having seen JH's paper on spectra of colored flames and thus having overlooked JH's prior claims [see JH's 1861-7-21]. Will try to make amends.
Gives account of observations on lunar radiation, including detailed description of experiments.
Clarifies that JT does not believe moon radiates cold itself, but effects are 'as if' it did. Relates this to atmosphere.
Finds JH's approval incredibly gratifying. Thanks for gift of rock salt. Is sending unscientific book; trusts JH's interests are broad enough to appreciate it.
Asks permission to print extract of JH's letter on heat spots of spectrum of rock salt sample. Hopes JH's son [Alexander] will speak at Royal Institution; JT would help with illustration. Wonders how blue color of water relates to sky color and polarization.
Remarks on upcoming lecture of JH's son [Alexander], and on glacial movement.
Thanks for a gift.
Regrets 'stupidity' of Italian post office, which lost note sent to JH suggesting reprinting of passage from Treatise Astr. of 1833 on operations of sun in second edition of JT's book. Also wants to publish JT's 'extremely philosophical views' on muscle contraction.
Is not 'at liberty' to speak of experiments on change of refrangibility of 'extra-red' rays. Discusses other experiments on extra-red regions, having used various prisms but not obtaining JH's results.
JT does not have 'luxury' of using sunshine; uses electric light. Perhaps this adds to inability to obtain heat spots [see JH's 1864-11-16].
Asks JH to be a shareholder in venture to publish new weekly scientific journal.
Sends copy of JT's '3rd Memoir,' along with specimens of liquid mercury ethyl and mercury methyl from discoverers Edward Frankland and B. F. Duppa.
Corrects misinformation about refraction and dispersion of mercury ethyl and mercury methyl.
Comments on excellence of the lecture at the Royal Institution of JH's son [Alexander].
Asks whether Michael Faraday's work with glass resulted in improved manufacturing or if rather its main scientific value was in discovery of diamagnetism.
JT has suggested that JH's son [Alexander] be appointed to position in Royal School of Mines, but colleagues, unwisely, JT thinks, want someone more well-known.
Is studying vesicles. JH's son [Alexander] may yet get Royal School of Mines appointment.
Observations on subjecting carbonic acid to concentrated beam of an electric lamp. Records experimental result so far. Interested in ordinary dust particles under electric light.
Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see JT's 1868-11-30], hoping to 'explode' idea that atmosphere's polarization is due to reflection by air particles.
Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see JT's 1868-11-30], suggesting possible cause of blue cloud color and eventual whitening of light.