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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.
Barometer is swinging without encountering any accident. Believes there is to be a new clergyman at Rondebosch, the old Observatory housekeeper, John Fry, shortly to land from England. Hopes he is more adept at sermons than he was arranging the catalogue of instruments.
Encloses the sweeps for June 1836, which JH lent him. Not a word about printing, or the Tide gauge in the letters he received. Will forward the letters from G. B. Airy and Francis Baily. Thomas Henderson is about to be married. Cannot procure white deal without knots. Will try an old mast.
Cornerstone and tree answer admirably. Gives the points in the present triangulation. Lieut. John Williams of the Engineers has promised assistance. There is a French frigate in the harbor, which he intends to visit.
Has succeeded in fixing an 18 pounder gun firmly in the ground to mark the western termination of the base-line query on how to measure the meridian of a mountain at sea level. Has requested permission from the Governor to inspect the military orders for 1751-2.
JH is frustrated with his inaccurate barometric readings.
Sends C. P. Smyth with the observing lists of JH's zero stars. Comments on these lists. Would like to see the Cedar Mountains, but cannot spare the time at present. Wished to visit Riebeck's Castle to verify one of N. L. Lacaille's remarks. Did not notice any air bubbles in JH's barometer. The Observatory barometer is similar to the one of Sir John Franklin. Goes to the Block House tomorrow to commence the triangulation.
Definition at the Observatory last night was abominable; therefore no comparisons can be made between the stations. Much obliged for the details of the actinometer. Will call on JH later.
From a newspaper received today sees that John Pond is dead and buried. Affair of James South and Edward Troughton and William Simms is as before. Sends the observations of the 21st; rain was not good for astronomical observations. Comments on these readings.
Thinks Monday 2 Jan. a suitable day for taking down the Circle. Has engaged J. K. Gibbs the carpenter for the coming quarter. No official notice has been taken of his Colonial Measure of Reference.
Proceedings with the Circle went on as well as expected; fixed the additional microscopes with plaster of paris. Sends the P.M.that contains F. W. Bessel's paper on the repeating circle. Opposition of Mars will require the use of the circle in the last of the present month.
Regrets having to send the observations on so many sheets; those in red ink will be re-observed. John Steuart has given him a note about spots on the sun. Sends Mr. Stebbing's letter and would like JH's comments when he sees him.
The mica will do beautifully. Sorry to hear of the return of JH's complaint. Will send barometric observations tomorrow.
Call on Col. G. G. Lewis; the latter expressed a desire to see the rods laid off. Can JH come and breakfast with them to see the operation? JH needs a rest from astronomy to restore his health.
Sends the Comptes rendus in which he will find the notice TM alluded to. Beautiful definition last night. Gauze diminishes the light without further mischief.
Intended to ride over today, but urgent mail from England claimed his attention. No news from the Admiralty. No news of the tide machine. The tripods are finished. Gathers that the Bonita cannot perform all D. F. J. Arago wished.
Returns JH's book of estimated magnitudes and would like it again when preparing his catalogue. Sends letters he received from Francis Beaufort and [Richard?] Jones. Is oppressed with business and an awful cough.
Received the enclosed communications by the steamer. Can JH send him a list of unobserved comet stars? Work on N. L. Lacaille's Observatory gives satisfaction. Regarding Capt. Mackonochee. Lacaille's angular measurements are not above suspicion. Observed the two rings of Saturn distinctly.
Will call on JH tomorrow as he intends visiting Simon's Bay. Is taking a proof sheet to Cape Town. There appears to be a great discrepancy between the Captain's statement and N. L. Lacaille's station. The latter's station at Rubeck Castel remains perfect.
The examination of the standard deal rod was commenced yesterday. Comments on the procedure and gives readings. The base line was levelled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and he is now ready to measure it. Would like JH to be present if possible when he measures it. Had 25 visitors in one morning recently.
The flood has done much mischief to his baseline; there are still some holes to be filled in. Has written to Col. G. G. Lewis. Hopes to see JH at breakfast on Thursday.