Remarks on Greenwich observations.
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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.
Remarks on Greenwich observations.
Comments on efforts toward getting a royal charter for the Astronomical Society, a paper by Peter Barlow, and activities of the R.S.L. Correspondence with Wilhelm Struve. Difficulties in getting his new telescope constructed.
Of the health of JH's brother-in-law, John Stewart, and the publication of JH's Prelim. Discourse [letter completed 1831-2-8].
Sends JH a copy of Richard Jones's new book [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Congratulates JH on the publication of his new book [Prelim. Discourse].
Is sending Volume 10 of the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Has recently sent him a book and letter and wonders if he has received it. Congratulations on his recent honors. If he has the book perhaps he would look at certain passages.
Regarding the affair of Charles Babbage and William Fitton's pamphlet. Would like JH to dine with him and William Whewell to discuss various matters. JH's book is popular at Cambridge.
Sending more ale. Abandoning AR's theory of comets coming from solar volcanoes, although he thinks it is somewhat consistent with observed phenomena of solar spots.
Has been obtaining information for his report on the observatories. Is JH's paper ready to be printed? Will be able to economize on the printing of the Greenwich Observations.
Has just found out that the government has approached the R.S.L. as to the usefulness and chances of success of his machine. Hopes that if JH is appointed he will not become involved in the committees of the R.S.L. Has been deciphering a cipher.
Would not write anything to make JH change his mind over the proposed biography of Sir William Herschel. Thinks there is room for a popular and more serious study of Sir William. Has received good reports of JH's Discourse. Has not had a chance of seeing William Whewell yet.
Describes JL's self education in grinding compound lenses and devising trials for testing these for spectacles.
Expressing appreciation of JH's book on philosophy.
Received JH's 'Fourth Series of Observations...' [1831] on double stars. Donated it to College library.
Thanks JH for sending a copy of his Prelim. Discourse; notes that it has been translated into German from a French translation. Laments that she is 'decaying.'
Notifying him of a forthcoming meeting of the Council of the R.A.S. Report is ready.
Asks JH to join Sir James South in recommending that WS succeed John Pond as superintendent of the Nautical Almanac. [Marked 'Confidential'.]
Discusses confusion with regard to possible separation of Nautical Almanac from Astronomer Royal and ensuing confusion regarding who will succeed John Pond as superintendent of Nautical Almanac. Asks JH to send letter recommending WS to the Duke.
Thanks for his comments on the Nautical Almanac in relation to the report of the Board of Visitors. W. S. Stratford and his appointment to the Nautical Almanac.
Appreciates JH's candid reply. Explains his reasons for requesting a recommendation, but understands that JH might not give it.