Declines an invitation to visit JH; comments on political situation in South Africa.
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.
Declines an invitation to visit JH; comments on political situation in South Africa.
Sends JH a letter from Lord Glenelg [concerning his position as Lieutenant Governor of the Eastern Province of the Cape Colony].
Awaits decision on his fate as Lieutenant Governor at the Cape.
Outraged over a [London] Times report of a massacre at Fort Natal in the Cape colony, which AS believes cannot be true; backs up his belief with a letter from a soldier at Fort Natal. Will take a business trip to Holland after which he 'will be ready for anything the Government may please.'
Thanks JH and MH for their support. Admits that before leaving the Cape he told the governor that he had no intention of returning. Ascribes difficulties of his term as Lieutenant Governor to problems inherent in having a military man in office.
Discusses Lord Glenelg's role in the decision to keep him as Lieutenant Governor of the Cape and his support during the inquiry of AS's actions in a confrontation with the natives. Writes of Glenelg's retirement.
Colonial Secretary Lord Normanby dismissed AS Lieutenant Governor at the Cape, citing the feelings toward him in the colony. AS declares, 'I rejoice in having done with the Cape.' Declines an offer of a government position in the West Indies. Claims his future depends on how much he will be given as a pension.
His paper on double stars is required for press so would be grateful if it could be sent along. The society is short of papers for reading so any JH can produce would be very welcome.
Encloses the proof of the first part of his paper, with queries. Regarding the seal used. Volume of the memoirs have been published. There are important matters for the next Astronomical Council.
Returns his paper and would be glad to receive an abstract. JH has been removed from the Council of the R.A.S. in deference to his wishes. King of Denmark has offered a gold medal for the discovery of a comet.
Has sent off his observations by the coach. Account of the Oxford meeting is in Tilloch's Magazine, now amalgamated with David Brewster's Edinburgh Journal. Will be able to include the new catalogue of stars in the forthcoming volume if JH desires it.
Hopes to have JH's catalogue for the first meeting of the R.A.S. Anything about the comet would be welcome. Regarding one of Franciscus Vièta's mathematical theories.
Has received the catalogue and it will be sent to the press. Is grateful for JH's offers. Does he know anything of Bullialdi's (Ismael Boulliau) Astronomica philolaica? Refers to Franciscus Vièta's Harmonicum coeleste. 25 copies of JH's latest paper has been forwarded.
Thanks for his paper on nebulae. Scarlet fever has been very prevalent this season. R.S.L. in financial straits. Paper on John Flamsteed has caused friction between James Ivory and the R.A.S. Government has promised financial aid to Edinburgh Observatory.
Sending a letter by Francis Baily. Anniversary of the R.A.S. takes place on Friday. Capt. [Walter?] Forman has had a rise in the world. Observations of Henry Foster fills volume VII of the memoirs.
Sending him the Calculus of Functions, which he may retain, and also some maps of the stars published by Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. The R.A.S. is preparing a picture of Francis Baily and has added JH's name to the subscription list. Supposes he has fixed a date for his return. Regarding 'Warren's jet blacking.'
Will be a great reception for JH when he returns. Is working on a theory of probabilities. Francis Baily is the man for mapping the entire heavens. G. B. Airy is to test JH's topsy-turvy observations of Orion.
Stating his reasons for his resignation from the presidency of the R.S.L.
Would like his opinion on the merits of the camera lucida of G. B. Amici and W. H. Wollaston. Half dead with idleness here at Paris, but hopes to return to London soon.
Giving information on his voyage, which he may use as he desires. In the course of 89 days he passed through the Pacific, rounded Cape Horn, and crossed the South Atlantic without seeing any land. Would be pleased to provide any further details.