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 sending his paper on the aberration so that it can be laid before the Board of Longitude. Also sending new table for the measurement of heights by means of the barometer. Regarding the distribution of the Memoirs to Associates.
Thanks for valuable communication, which will be laid before the Board of Longitude. Has completed own paper for the Astronomical Society. J. F. Encke has sent more copies of the proof-map. Ernesto Capocci's observations of the comet similar to his own. Has been unable to use Charles Tully's or John Ramage's telescopes yet owing to clouds.
Was favored with his letter. Comments on his paper and revised it. Hopes to be in town on Thursday. Believes [Stephen] Lee has the last number of Annales de chimie.
Wishes to print the observations WP presented to the R.S.L. in his forthcoming Journal. Can JH assist him; has obtained permission from Humphry Davy.
Expressing his gratitude for the kindness received from JH while staying in England. Thanks for the Memoir he has received.
Describes plan to carry out pendulum experiments with G. B. Airy. Asks JH for help in borrowing instruments from the R.S.L.
Asking for introductions to certain men of science in Paris. Revision of his views on his figure of the earth, and casting doubt on Edward Sabine's pendulum observations.
Preparing to give a lecture at the R.S.L., and writes seeking some information. Comments on some work of G. A. Plana and P. S. Laplace. [Much of this letter is illegible.]
Remarks on FB's address on astronomy [fragment only].
About JG's health, the need for JH to marry, and plans for the summer.
Writes to urge GA to avail himself of the opportunity of working with Basil Hall in swinging the pendulum at Greenwich; concludes with a note for William Whewell about JH's view of the 'extremely irregular' figure of the earth.
Sending his paper on the 'Figure of the Earth.' Description of work at Greenwich Observatory. Remarks on projected expedition to Falmouth and Ashbourne.
As MF will be unable to attend the next meeting of the Glass Committee, he sends JH the analysis of the glass produced in one experiment, emphasizing its consistency and high quality.
Sent to CH a copy of James South's second paper on double stars and a synoptic catalog of them. Calls CH one of the first discoverers of the 'comet of 1795.' Sent to Astronomical Society a report on 300 new double stars.
Asks questions about the prospectus [see JE's 1826-3-2] prepared by the Berlin Royal Academy for a map of the heavens. Asks JE to send JH a copy of [K. L.] Harding's star atlas.
Sent medal to WS. Tells WS it was awarded to WS and [James] South. Speaks of [Francis] Baily's medal presentation speech. Lists books sent to WS.