Showing 41–60 of 124 items
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.
Discusses use of 'force' versus use of 'power' in translating [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Says science has outgrown 'force.' [See 1847-10-8]
Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that ES and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
Returns Robert Peel's letter. JH has not changed opinion. Will not accept office [of R.S.L. president], even for one year.
Asked [Charles Lyell] to communicate JH's response to ES.
Believes B.A.A.S. should continue to maintain Kew Observatory, but worries about finances. Encloses letter from William R. Birt, whose aid will maintain it for a while.
Agrees with W. R. Birt on advantages of continuing Kew observatory if B.A.A.S. can afford it. Encloses Birt's letter to JH. Understands difficult financial position of B.A.A.S.
Believes Kew Observatory will be ineffective if not private observatory of B.A.A.S., so wishes not to attend meeting to draw up application for government support. Approves, however, of committee revising report.
Supports proposed course of action to procure for [Francis] Ronalds half of the grant and recognition given to [Charles] Brooke alone for similar photographic invention.
Encloses note to be directed to JH, pointing out discrepancies in JH's article on sound in first edition of Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.
Comments favorably on report by W. R. Birt on Kew meteorological observations. Sees special significance concerning atmospheric electricity.
Supports proposal made by C. M. Elliot to execute 'running survey' of India with instruments from observatories.
Thanks to [Francis] Ronalds for supply of paper. Comments on ES's discovery about direction of change in earth's magnetism, relating it to sun's and other electric currents. In this light, discusses auroras. Mentions abolishing of R.S.L. scientific committees and possible successor to John Caldecott.
Thanks Mrs. Sabine for translation of third volume of Alexander von Humboldt's Kosmos. Admires its author. Questions references in notes. Discusses meeting for Wintringham Committee.
Mentions cirrus cloud formations foreshadowing aurora. Is unable to attend R.S.L. committee meetings and concerned that 'outlying' members be able to relay opinions through letters.
Cannot attend meeting of grant committee tomorrow. Favors grant to print observations made at Armagh Observatory by T. R. Robinson, but with conditions. Protests any grants to public institutions. Mr. Forbes's proposition is too premature to act on it.
Cannot offer advice regarding geo-magnetism. Suggests ES ask [C. F.] Gauss for assistance.
Remarks on a correction in manual regarding some fluctuation of heating and cooling.
Disagreement with W. H. Sykes over whether to publish observations by General [Cullen?] that Sykes claims have never been reviewed or read [to R.S.L.]. Encloses copy of JH's reply to Sykes.
Stopped compilation of comet orbits because it had already been done. Would provide money from donation fund to distribute copies of this information.
Discusses auroral observation. Will reply to [John] Lefroy's letter soon. Wants grant proposals sent to outlying R.S.L. members for comments. Cannot attend Kew Committee meeting.