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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.
Unable to call on him as his mother wishes to return home directly. Edward Sabine has not returned yet. Outlines some of the difficulties Sabine is experiencing. Premature to judge results at the moment.
Comments on JH's mother's health, some communication from Greenwich, and the weather.
Will not attend council meeting. JH comments regarding the nomination for foreign membership [of R.S.L.?] of Teodoro Monticello.
Some R.S.L. business matters.
On the poor functioning of the R.S.L. Glass Committee.
Informs DG that JH is resigning as secretary of R.S.L. [at the anniversary date?] and expresses great regret that some regard the position of secretary not as an elected position, but in the patronage of the President.
Business matters for the R.S.L.
Comments on geodesical measurements being made in Ireland.
Responds to having been chosen to be the Vice-President of the R.S.L.
Captain [Henry] Foster states that the Admiralty must very shortly receive directions from the R.S.L. concerning the scientific objectives for Foster's voyage.
Accepts an invitation to dine with DG; invites DG to the anniversary meeting of the Astronomical Society; comments on scientific voyage being undertaken on behalf of R.S.L., and paid for by the government.
Understands the Board of Longitude has been dissolved. Wonders what the position now is regarding the Optical Glass Committee. Outlines his own views and would welcome DG's instructions.
Comments on two business matters in the R.S.L., namely, the work of the Glass Committee and the question of calculation of observations made at Parramatta, Australia.
Giving his own and Michael Faraday's views concerning the continuation of the Glass experiments. Regarding the reduction of the Parramatta Observations. Does not wish to undertake it himself.
Last night he discovered Encke's Comet. Gives readings.
Hastens to correct his own error; the comet he observed is no comet, but one of his father's nebulae. Regrets the errors.
Should JH prepare a report for the R.S.L. Council on the work of the Glass Committee, including Michael Faraday's important results? W. H. Wollaston's health is failing. On recent sunspot and comet observations.
Is leaving London for many months and would therefore like his name removed from the Council of the Royal Society, and also his Vice-presidency to be terminated. Would like his name removed from the glass sub-committee.
Asks DG to respond to a note from George Rümker.
Received his letter of the 17th today. Does not think he can change his mind about resigning from the council.