Giving news of the intentions of her son (Charles Babbage) and his experiences on his travels.
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.
Giving news of the intentions of her son (Charles Babbage) and his experiences on his travels.
Has found some errors in the sheets of computations HK sent. Lists these. Comments on astronomical work of [William] Richardson and on the reading of 'The repeal of the Longitude Acts Bill.'
There is no truth in SL's statement to James Ivory regarding work on the figure of the earth belonging exclusively to JH. Has written to Ivory stating the facts of the misunderstanding.
Microscopes installed successfully. Describes observation of second satellite of Jupiter transiting the disk of the planet and how it seemed to linger at the planet's edge.
Sends WS JH's 'Light' published in the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. Mentions recalibration of his magnitude measurements of small stars near other small ones. Comments on results in WS's paper concerning Saturn's ring. Confirms sighting of 'well defined, equable, planetary disk.'
Lists contents of a letter sent on 1828-7-6. JH's Light and third catalogue of double stars sent. Details of nebulae included.
Discusses atmospheric refraction, Francis Bacon's distinction between argument and testimony, and the manner in which the Board of Longitude was dissolved.
Informs JH that JI had been warned off, by Stephen Lee, from writing about the figure of the earth because that was JH's territory.
Further regarding Richard Taylor the printer. Reports on observations of Mars by William Pearson. JH's new micrometer is aiding his observations of double stars.
[Richard] Taylor is very anxious that the Astronomical Society reconsider its decision to discontinue his services as printer of the Society's publications. Suggests presentation of a gift to William Stratford for his services as secretary of the Astronomical Society.
Suggests that phenomenon in observing Jupiter satellite was an optical illusion. Asks WS to observe spots on Mars to confirm observations of William Pearson. Asks WS to contribute to W. S. Stratford memorial.
Assures JI that JH could not, and would not, utter such threats, and has sent Stephen Lee a copy of this letter [see JI's 1828-7-10].
Regarding the printing for the Astronomical Society. Errors in FB's astronomical tables.
When he last saw James Ivory at the British Museum, no mention was made of JH's name. Thinks the remarks of Ivory are caused by mental disease.
Did not pass near JH's place when he came home; otherwise he would have returned JH's mirror. Returns next Monday and will be pleased to call if JH can offer him a bed. The storm did no great damage here, but at Chislehurst it turned a house inside out.
Agrees to contribute to W. S. Stratford memorial presentation. Agrees with JH that Jupiter satellite observation was an optical illusion; sends sketches of more Jupiter observations. Sends data obtained with new instruments.
Mr. Knowles has left college and taken the plates of quartz that illustrated the experiment so well. Sends further explanations of the experiment he previously mentioned to JH.
Requests permission to translate JH's work on light into German.
JH very upset at the government abolishing the Board of Longitude; has many questions as to what will happen now.
Asks JH to report how James South's telescope performs. There was a defect in the settings of the telescope. Hopes JH's method of eliminating chromatic aberration improves the microscope.