Would like to see him as soon as possible so they can prepare the preface of their memoir for the printer.
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.
Would like to see him as soon as possible so they can prepare the preface of their memoir for the printer.
Encourages JH's decision to become a barrister; comments on the joys of marriage.
Please consider William Herschel's opinions on JH's career decision. MPH favors church, but will accept whatever makes JH happy. Will send money soon for [JH's tutor] T. W. Hornbuckle.
Responds to JH's criticism of churchmen. Criticizes law and defends church as careers. Explains why WH never discussed religious opinions with JH.
Assures JH that exchange of letters with William Herschel did not produce alienation. Encourages both to meet for discussion. JH's cousin [Mary Baldwin] anxiously awaits reply from JH.
Apologies for any bitterness caused by differences of opinions. Willing to listen to JH's reason for preferring law over church as career, but must postpone arguments until later. [Typewritten copy includes annotation by unknown hand that JH's letters were not preserved in this 'only serious conflict of wills between the father & son.']
About the opportunities in law.
Encourages JH to come to visit; more about the study of law.
Obliquely, wishes luck and offers advice on exams. Asks for news of Cambridge scandals. Is entering law school. Encloses mathematical formula for which they had earlier searched.
Has had the bill for the printing of their memoir. Ways of raising money to pay for the printing. Comments on one of CB's equations. Will be entering Lincoln's Inn in a week's time.
Regarding the proposed method of raising funds to pay for printing of the memoir. Justifies his equation queried by JH. Would he purchase certain chemicals for him.
Chemical news: decomposition of 'sulphuret of carbon' by J. J. Berzelius and Alexander Marcet. Analysis of 'azotane' and discovery of 'iode' by Humphry Davy. Congratulations on results of CB's examination.
Is sending chemicals. Regarding Humphry Davy's experiments with azotane. Davy's paper on iodine.
Results of JW's exams. JH's advice in science was too modern to help. Reports local scandals among examiners. Not speaking to James Grahame. Going to 'Babylon' on Tuesday.
Working in law office of [F. W.?] Sanders. Attended R.S.L. last night. T. W. Hornbuckle offered JH position as subtutor at St. John's College, but JH declined. Describes paper on minerals that JH submitted through E. D. Clarke to Geological Society. Charles Babbage just made creative mathematical discovery.
Congratulates JH on the formation of the [Analytical] Society, which will let Britain 'take the lead' in mathematics. Discusses analysis of a radical.
Thanks for essays JH sent; John Playfair was impressed by them. JG is writing material in favor of a Glasgow/Edinburgh canal.
Will be in town and requests addresses of shops where certain experimental apparatus can be purchased. Send [H. E.?] Roscoe's direction.
At home of student in highland moors along Nent River. Describes host family and barren surroundings. Greets all at St. John's. Asks about JH's chemistry lectures.
JG to be a father, has bought a new house, and urges JH to marry.