Correspondence map
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Edward Sabine
John Frederick William Herschel
Birth of John Frederick William Herschel, in Slough, Buckinghamshire
7 March 1792
Herschel invites Sabine to dinner and will try to arrange a meeting between Sabine and ‘Danish hydrographer’ Captain [Lahrtman?].
1792-1871 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/300
1794
Chemist Elizabeth Fulhame publishes her An Essay on Combustion : With a View to a New Art of Dying and Painting
1794
1812
Charles Babbage, John Frederick William Herschel and George Peacock found the Analytical Society
3 March 1812
John Frederick William Herschel presents his first scientific paper
12 November 1812:
John Frederick William Herschel communicates a paper on Cote’s theorem to the Royal Society
1813
John Frederick William Herschel graduates Senior Wrangler at St John’s College, Cambridge
1813
John Frederick William Herschel is elected Fellow of the Royal Society
27 May 1813
1815
John Frederick William Herschel begins as sub-lector at St. John's College, Cambridge
1 May 1815
1816
John Frederick William Herschel is awarded Master of Arts (MA), at the University of Cambridge
30 January 1816
John Frederick William Herschel starts astronomical work alongside his father Sir William Herschel FRS
1816
1818
Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
1818
1819
John Frederick William Herschel serves on the Board of Longitude
1819
1820
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1820: John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the action of crystallized bodies on homogeneous light, and on the causes of the deviation from Newton's scale in the tints which many of them develope on exposure to a polarised ray” .
John Frederick William Herschel serves his first term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1820
1821
John Frederick William Herschel and Charles Babbage travel through France to Italy and Switzerland.
1821
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1821:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the aberrations of compound lenses and object-glasses" in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society for his papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions
1821
1822
Death of Sir William Herschel FRS
25 August 1822
1823
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Bakerian Medal of the Royal Society.
1823:
John Frederick William Herschel gives the Bakerian lecture “On certain Motions produced in Fluid Conductors when transmitting the Electric Current”.
1824
John Frederick William Herschel moves to 56 Devonshire St., Portland Place, London
1824
John Frederick William Herschel serves as Secretary of the Royal Society
30 November 1824
Herschel sends information recorded to determine the difference between ‘the indications of his portable barometer by Troughton and a standard thermometer by Newman, and those of various other instruments’, and remarks they may be of interest to the Board of Longitude. Includes a table and description of its contents. The table depicts the instrument compared, difference between the zero point and the portable barometer by Troughton, the difference in the indication of the attached thermometer, as well as remarks. Herschel discusses the ‘results of comparisons of various thermometers with a standard thermometer by Newman’.
4 November 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/261
1825
John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
Copy of a letter. Comments on Edward Sabine's measurement [in his Account of Experiments to Determine the Figure of the Earth] indicating 'the increase of the fraction expressing the earth's compression.' Predicts that Edward Sabine's result will cause a
20 March 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/1
Autograph letter signed by sender. Responds to Edward Sabine's proposal to conduct a series of meteorological observations from the peak of Teneriffe. Promises to bring it before the Board of Longitude for consideration for support.
3 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/2
Autograph letter signed by sender. Clarifies issues discussed in an earlier letter. Discusses whether the project of making meteorological observations will be feasible if the Board of Longitude does not offer financial support. Attempts to arrange a meet
4 April 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/3
Copy of a letter. Responds to Edward Sabine's letter of 1825-4-4, stating that John Frederick William Herschel now understands that Edward Sabine will proceed with the Teneriffe observations only if funds are provided. Praises Sabine's previous work.
5 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/4
Autograph letter signed by sender. Shares John Frederick William Herschel's doubts whether the Board of Longitude will fund the Teneriffe expedition, the importance of which he again stresses. Cannot personally cover the costs. Thanks John Frederick Willi
1825-4 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/5
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. On 1825-4-7 presented Edward Sabine's proposal for experiments at Teneriffe to the Board of Longitude, which judged the experiments not sufficiently relevant to the Board's concerns. Offers to seek end
8 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/6
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encourages John Frederick William Herschel to bring Edward Sabine's proposal for Teneriffe experiments before the Royal Society [of London] Council.
11 April 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/7
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Invites Edward Sabine to join him and other scientists for dinner. Requests that Edward Sabine prepare a detailed description and justification of his proposed Teneriffe experiments for consideration b
21 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/8
Autograph letter signed by sender. Six artillery men have been placed under Edward Sabine's command. Encloses letters from Charles Bonne. Asks Edward Sabine to oversee the arrival of 180 rockets to be used at Wrotham and Fairlight. Proposes that Edward Sabine test whether a light at Wrotham can be seen at Fairlight in which case gunpowder will be used instead of rockets. Sets date for Edward Sabine to meet Bonne in Hornoy. Urges Edward Sabine to record his expenses for the Board of Longitude.
20 June 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/9
Autograph letter signed by sender. Clarifies that the six artillery men are at Edward Sabine's disposal but under John Frederick William Herschel's command. Agrees to oversee arrival of the rockets. If expenses are to be paid by the Department of Ordinanc
20 June 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/10
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on his meeting with Charles Bonne and their subsequent failure to see any signals the first night from either Mont Javoul or La Canche. Worries that the distances are too great for measurements so close to the se
12 July 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/11
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports his 'entire failure' with Charles Bonne to see signals from both La Canche and Mont Javoul on the same night. Tells of moving the telescopes to Tuniers on 1825-7-15. Speaks of similar experiments elsewhere, which
16 July 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/12
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports Charles Bonne's voyage to Mont Javoul and discovery that the rockets there had been sent off too early, accounting for the previous failures. Reports subsequent successes. Conveys his plans to arrive at Teneriffe
20 July 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/13
Copy of a letter. An account of the rocket experiments and P. S. Laplace's letter will be left at the Royal Society [of London] Finds in Laplace's letter encouragement for the corroboration regarding the measurement of latitudinal degrees. Dismisses Lapla
16 November 1825 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/14
Copy of a letter. Comments on Edward Sabine's measurement [in his Account of Experiments to Determine the Figure of the Earth] indicating 'the increase of the fraction expressing the earth's compression.' Predicts that Edward Sabine's result will cause a 'sensation,' but does not commit himself to it.
20 March 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/202
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to Edward Sabine's proposal to conduct a series of meteorological observations from the peak of Teneriffe. Promises to bring it before the Board of Longitude for consideration for support.
3 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/204
Copy of a letter. Responds to Edward Sabine's letter of 1825-4-4, stating that John Frederick William Herschel now understands that Edward Sabine will proceed with the Teneriffe observations only if funds are provided. Praises Sabine's previous work.
5 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/205
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. On 1825-4-7 presented Edward Sabine's proposal for experiments at Teneriffe to the Board of Longitude, which judged the experiments not sufficiently relevant to the Board's concerns. Offers to seek endorsement from the Royal Society [of London]
8 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/206
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invites Edward Sabine to join him and other scientists for dinner. Requests that Edward Sabine prepare a detailed description and justification of his proposed Teneriffe experiments for consideration by the Royal Society [of London] Council.
21 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/208
Copy of a letter. Read your proposal on experiments at Teneriffe to the Royal Society [of London] Council, which declined to make 'an especial recommendation' in support of them to the government.
6 May 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/210
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Six artillery men have been placed under Edward Sabine's command. Encloses letters from Charles Bonne. Asks Edward Sabine to oversee the arrival of 180 rockets to be used at Wrotham and Fairlight. Proposes that Edward Sabine test whether a light at Wrotham can be seen at Fairlight in which case gunpowder will be used instead of rockets. Sets date for Edward Sabine to meet Bonne in Hornoy. Urges Edward Sabine to record his expenses for the Board of Longitude.
20 June 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/215
Refers to military matters. Herschel refers to R. Bonne's letter and gives further instructions regarding rockets for experiment. Reference to conducting observations. Herschel suggests Sabine should account for every expense ‘in the course of this operation’ in order for the Board of Longitude to be able to reimburse him.
19 June 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/262
Updates regarding the arrival of the rockets and the whereabouts of a telescope. Discusses the chronometer sent by Herschel [and observations to be made by instruments].
1825-1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/298
1826
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1826:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the parallax of the fixed stars”.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a copy of a letter from the astronomer [George] Fisher, who strongly supports the practicability of work in Spitzbergen. Says the letter will be presented to the Council for its consideration in hopes that a spe
1826-2 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/15
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Denies any knowledge of a Royal Society [of London] Council meeting. Trusts the council will make its decisions based on public duty and science, not on the fact that the decision must be defended in l
23 February 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/15a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Claims 'it never entered [his] head' that an appointed committee would be influenced solely by the need to defend its decisions. Restates his opinion that the subject should be properly considered.
1826- 2-23 or later Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/16
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel and Charles Babbage for their paper on the magnetic experiments. Asks to have 20 extra copies of the paper on the rocket experiments made when it is printed. Speaks of travel expens
1826 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/17
1827
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time
1827
1829
John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London
3 March 1829
1830
John Frederick William Herschel is elected Foreign correspondent of the Académie des sciences
1830
Birth of Caroline Emilia Mary Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
31 March 1830
John Frederick William Herschel is nominated for the presidency of the Royal Society, loses by 8 votes to the Duke of Sussex
30 November 1830
1831
Mary Somerville publishes Mechanism of the Heavens
1831
Sir John Herschel is created Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
1831
Sir John Herschel publishes Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1831
Birth of Isabella Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 June 1831
1833
Sir John Herschel receives the Royal Medal from the Royal Society
1833:
The Medal is awarded "For his paper on nebulae and clusters of stars, published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1833."
Sir John Herschel publishes A treatise on astronomy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1833
Birth of William James Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1833
Sir John Herschel departs for South Africa with his wife and their three children
13 November 1833
1834
Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834
1835
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of the Cape of Good Hope
1835
Halley’s comet becomes visible
28 November 1835
1836
Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
1837
Victoria becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
20 June 1837
Birth of John Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
29 October 1837
1838
Sir John Herschel returns from South Africa
1838: A banquet in presence of Queen Victoria is given to celebrate his return to Britain and made a Baronet.
Copy of a letter. Urges John Frederick William Herschel to present to the B.A.A.S. a proposal regarding research in terrestrial magnetism.
4 August 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/18
Copy of a letter. Received John Frederick William Herschel's letter. Has been in Scotland working on magnetic observations. Eager to meet with John Frederick William Herschel at any time. Humphrey Lloyd has set up the three magnetic instruments, a 'great
23 October 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/19
Autograph letter signed by sender. Plans a meeting in London with John Frederick William Herschel, James Ross, Humphrey Lloyd, and himself. Says an earlier cost estimate was too low and worries that the government will not fund the 'special' magnetic proj
24 October 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/20
Autograph letter signed by sender. Writes to change the London meeting to Thursday to accommodate James Ross.
30 October 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/21
Autograph letter signed by sender. Humphrey Lloyd will attend the meeting [announced in Edward Sabine 1838-10-24].
12 November 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/22
Autograph letter signed by sender. Speaks of translations being made of papers from Resultate [aus den Beobachtungen der Magnetische Vereins], some of which papers indirectly pertain to Edward Sabine's simultaneous observations. Lists expenses.
14 November 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/23
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports Francis Beaufort's response to providing needed equipment and funds [for the proposed magnetic survey]. James Ross has not yet arrived. Discusses publishing an article in the Resultate [aus den Beobachtungen der
23 November 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/24
Autograph letter signed by sender. Describes his meeting with Francis Beaufort and James Ross. Strongly urges that the Southern magnetic research begin in the spring. Speaks of efforts to have the expedition approved by the Royal Society [of London], whic
3 December 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/25
Autograph letter signed by sender. Writes of finding barometric data from some 1836 meteorological observations. Is sending two diagrams. Offers to help John Frederick William Herschel write a report for the Royal Society [of London]
17 December 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/26
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses maps from the Magnetic Department and a paper published in 1836.
26 December 1838 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/27
Autograph letter signed by sender. Writes about arrangements for an Royal Society [of London] council meeting.
5 December 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/26/67
1839
Sir John Herschel serves his first term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1839: to 1841
Birth of Maria Sophia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1839
William Henry Fox Talbot presents his paper-based photographic process at the Royal Society
1839
Autograph letter signed by sender. Strongly urges John Frederick William Herschel to support employment of artillery men in the St. Helena and Canada fixed observatories, citing the approval of the private secretary. Reports that four sets of magnetic ins
15 March 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/28
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to read enclosed item and send it to [J. F.] Daniell, who in turn will send it to John Phillips, so that they might be ready to reply to the Council.
15 March 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/29
Autograph letter signed by sender. Speaks of his meeting with the acting general of artillery and the master general secretary, who approved of employing men and engineers in the fixed observation work in St. Helena and Canada. Encloses the remainder of t
21 March 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/30
Autograph letter signed by sender. Humphrey Lloyd has asked for magnetometers, assuming that the 'Authority' approves of the instruments. Remarks that Lloyd's observatory will be ready for visitors in late June and that Lloyd plans to go to the continent
21 March 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/31
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a paper. Says C. F. Gauss will make six magnetometers in two months.
27 March 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/32
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel if he would like the Meteorological Committee to meet before Royal Society [of London] Council meets. Having received news that the wife of [Thomas] Spring Rice, the person in charge
4 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/33
Autograph letter signed by sender. Informs John Frederick William Herschel that a meteorological committee has been called. Discusses financial matters concerning the fixed observatories. Has written to [Thomas] Spring Rice.
6 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/34
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports that the precept has been sent for putting the fixed magnetic observatories at St. Helena, the Cape, and Canada into execution, and that the instruments for three Indian observatories have been ordered. Writes th
10 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/35
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports his successful meeting with Hussey Vivian, whose full support of the fixed observatories is to be communicated to the Royal Society [of London] Council by Edward Sabine. Says that Vivian desires to read the memor
11 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/36
Autograph letter signed by sender. Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of Edward Sabine's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Llo
12 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/37
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a copy of financial estimates concerning the fixed observatories. Expects bills will be paid by the Treasury. Has conveyed Hussey Vivian's support of the project to the Council of the Royal Society [of London] C
13 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/38
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports that the original cost estimate of the magnetometers was low and that other instruments have been ordered. Asks to borrow clocks from the Royal Society [of London] and the Royal Astronomical Society Has written t
19 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/39
Autograph letter signed by sender. Suggests changes in the memorial regarding fixed observatories.
19 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/40
Autograph letter signed by sender. Favors C. F. Gauss's theory of two magnetic poles, provided it satisfies the data. Office of the Artillery at Woolwich plans to 'furnish a set of instruments by private subscription.' Suggests a staff officer be appointe
22 April 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/41
Autograph letter signed by sender. Dublin University is available on 2 July for instruction of the officers to be employed in the magnetic observatories. Suggests a note be sent to the Royal Society [of London] stating that the changes in instrumentation
21 June 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/42
Autograph letter signed by sender. Supports furnishing a wooden building at St. Helena despite the high temperatures of the tropical climate. Considers the expenses involved.
28 June 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/43
Autograph letter signed by sender. Suggests John Frederick William Herschel include in his report a discussion of the 'dividing line of the positive and magnetic fluids' and 'separating line between the northern and southern intensities.' Presents C. F. G
2 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/44
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relays the opinions of a returning officer from St. Helena that a wooden building need not be built there.
4 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/45
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has presented the draft of the report to [T. R.] Robinson, [Charles] Wheatstone, and [J. F.] Daniell. Points out mistakes in the report. Remarks that the dipping needle has greatly improved over the years, thus increasin
12 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/46
Autograph letter signed by sender. States he has received the list of instruments and their prices sent by John Frederick William Herschel.
16 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/47
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd. Anticipates Lloyd's arrival. Worries he will not be ready with the necessary forms before James Ross sets sail. Includes many calculations.
26 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/48
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports that the ships to be used for James Ross's voyage will not be available for a week and that Humphrey Lloyd is busy preparing instructions. Proposes that the ships receive their own sets of instruments.
29 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/49
Autograph letter signed by sender. Accepts John Frederick William Herschel's dinner invitation, regretting that James Ross is unable to attend. Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd.
30 July 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/50
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel whether he presented to the Council of the Royal Society [of London] the resolution of the Meteorological Committee regarding references made by the 'Colonial Office, Trinity[?] Board
1 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/51
Autograph letter signed by sender. Supports John Frederick William Herschel's idea of having one simultaneous observation each day. Suggests that there might be two a day. Has suggested to Humphrey Lloyd that hourly observations take place once a fortnigh
1839-8 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/52
Autograph letter signed by sender. Explains that the purpose of his trip with Humphrey Lloyd is to 'establish the cooperation of the continental magnetic observatories.' Desires that the trip be authorized by the Royal Society [of London]
5 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/53
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd. Sees no problem in adding an officer to the staff of each observatory, if necessary. Remarks on a cheap but fragile magnetometer.
5 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/54
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is grieved by the Royal Society [of London] report, which supports a 'voyage of Discovery to the Antarctic' rather than 'research in Physical Sciences in the Southern Hemisphere.' Speaks of the discoveries made by expedi
9 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/55
Autograph letter signed by sender. Admiralty is dissatisfied at still being responsible for the Van Diemen's Land Observatory. Suggests responsibility be shifted to the Ordinance. Treasury will no longer finance the building of observatories when other bu
11 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/56
Autograph letter signed by sender. Anticipates Humphrey Lloyd's arrival at London this night. Announces that the pendulum experiments are finished. Interested in inspecting the magnetic instruments in preparation for the Antarctic journey. Plans John Fred
17 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/57
Autograph letter signed by sender. Disappointed not to have received a response from John Frederick William Herschel to his invitation for a visit. Goes ahead with plans.
20 August 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/58
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces Charles Riddell's departure for Canada and his own trip schedule in Germany. Has read John Frederick William Herschel's report. Informs John Frederick William Herschel that Edward Sabine has been made a member
4 September 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/59
Autograph letter signed by sender. Recommends that a fellow scientist be properly cited in the Royal Society [of London] report for his method of measuring the depth of the ocean. Encloses observations.
9 September 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/60
Autograph letter signed by sender. Speaks of arrangements for magnetic observatories in India, in the Himalayas, and at Bombay. Discusses the locations and buildings of the sites. Wishes to add Singapore as an observatory station.
5 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/61
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter from Alexander von Humboldt to Lord Minto endorsing the idea of an international magnetic survey. Stresses the value of the letter.
9 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/62
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Encloses notes. Has received John Frederick William Herschel's message about the action of the Royal Society [of London] Council.
11 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/63
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses Humphrey Lloyd's plans for [magnetic] observation. Requests a reply.
12 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/64
Autograph letter signed by sender. Claims the name 'meteorological committee' is misleading for a Royal Society [of London] committee that handles all branches of observational physics. Suggests that physics be divided into 'Experimental and Terrestrial.'
15 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/65
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces that copies of the observations are being sent by post and states that additions and corrections will be approved and added before the full report is submitted to the Royal Society [of London] Council for autho
15 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/66
Autograph letter signed by sender. Agrees that in the Royal Society [of London], Geology belongs under Terrestrial Physics, and would be there had it not its own committee. Says Terrestrial Magnetism no longer belongs under the head of Atmospheric Physics
18 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/67
Autograph letter signed by sender. Compliments Georg Erman's map of the declination lines made from observations, which confirms C. F. Gauss's map derived by theory. Asks John Frederick William Herschel whether the map should be printed and attached to th
19 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/68
Autograph letter signed by sender. Talks of new plans for an observatory in Egypt. Encloses two letters. Has begun to compare data of the last three years from five or six observatories all over the world.
22 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/69
Autograph letter signed by sender. Speaks of [John] Caldecott, Astronomer to the Rajah of Travancore, who plans to build an observatory. Needs a letter from the Royal Society [of London] for the Rajah and also for Johann Lamont, who is working in Germany.
26 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/70
Autograph letter signed by sender. Approves of the Royal Society [of London] letter written to the Rajah of Travancore. Notes that the Court of Directors has approved the change in observatory locations from Bombay to Singapore and from Doon[?] to Simla.
5 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/71
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces that the Royal Society [of London] Council has passed the resolution to reorganize previous committees into one entitled 'Physics and Meteorology.'
13 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/72
Autograph letter signed by sender. To remedy the negligent omission of Humphrey Lloyd's name and the work of the observatories in a recent Royal Society [of London]'s presidential speech, special communications will be sent to all foreign scientific insti
13 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/73
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets deeply the little notice given to the observatories and to Humphrey Lloyd in the Royal Society [of London] President's recent speech. Urges Edward Sabine to comfort Lloyd. States Royal Society [of London] 'is no
15 December 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/74
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender, incomplete. Declines to take steps to call a special committee or council meeting of the Royal Society [of London] regarding foreign communications of the observatories, noting his own wish to stay out
16 December 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/75
Autograph letter signed by sender. Writes of recent data. Addition of the Prague and Milan magnetic observatories will bring the total to 18 sites. In presenting to the Council a map ready for publication, has found out that the other committees have not
16 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/76
Autograph letter signed by sender. Concurs with John Frederick William Herschel in his desire to stay out of Royal Society [of London] affairs but feels it is important to promote terrestrial magnetism in the Royal Society [of London], especially because
18 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/77
Autograph letter signed by sender. Ready to propose Hammerfest to the Council as a new observatory site. Says the Christiania station is lost due to oversized equipment.
30 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/78
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. [John] Boileau brought drafts of reporting forms from [Humphrey] Lloyd. Wants John Frederick William Herschel to examine these books. Will obtain supplies for observatories.
24 December 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/295
Autograph letter signed by sender. [A. T.] Kupffer, [Humphrey] Lloyd, and Edward Sabine will meet [C. F.] Gauss at later date. Desires cooperation with Russia. Birmingham good for B.A.A.S., but the meeting lacks distinguished scientists.
1839-8-25. Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/316
Signed with sender's name by an amanuensis. Americans plan to investigate laws of North American storms. U.S. government should apply to British if cooperation is desired. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for letter recommending Edward Sabine for ro
7 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/318
Autograph letter signed by sender. Cabinet found Royal Society [of London] recommendations unsatisfactory. Merchants are urging the value of good geographical and magnetic charts of southern ocean. Geographical Society is preparing a document. Wolverly At
1839?. Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/322
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends documents with earliest suggestion of Antarctic magnetic variation. Also sends letter from [A. T.] Kupffer. Materials received from [Adolphe] Quetelet, Prague, and Milan. All sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd.
15 April 1839? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/327
Draft autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses Harvard University offer to make magnetic measurements. Requests Edward Sabine to read Admiralty extracts. Asks questions regarding John Frederick William Herschel's upcoming review [in Quarterly Review]
1839. Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/333
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of Edward Sabine's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by Edward Sabine.
12 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/9
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regrets deeply the little notice given to the observatories and to Humphrey Lloyd in the Royal Society [of London] President's recent speech. Urges Edward Sabine to comfort Lloyd. States Royal Society [of London] 'is no longer the sole arena in which a scientific name can be acquired.'
15 December 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/33
Copy of incomplete letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Declines to take steps to call a special committee or council meeting of the Royal Society [of London] regarding foreign communications of the observatories, noting his own wish to stay out of Royal Society [of London] affairs.
16 December 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/34Enclosing a copy of a letter from [Humphrey] Lloyd and Sabine to the Marquis of Northampton regarding international observatories. [Enclosure is present and labelled within volume as MC/3/50.]
7 November 1839 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: MC/3/49
1840
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1840: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the chemical action of the rays of the solar spectrum on preparations of silver and other substances, both metallic and non-metallic; and on some photographic processes”
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends the corrections of the Meteorological Instructions to John Frederick William Herschel. Presents a new plan for recording data.
8 January 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/79
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses corrections and title page of a report. Discusses the damage to Charles Riddell's instruments.
17 January 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/80
Autograph letter signed by sender. Believes Treasury will cover all expenses. The application for a Cairo observatory looks promising and H. C. Oersted is eager to set up a station in Copenhagen. Writes of the instrument requests of other stations.
6 February 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/81
Autograph letter signed by sender. Plans to order equipment needed for observatories. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to examine the bills. Announces that both Bavaria and Denmark are planning observatories.
15 February 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/82
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is of the opinion that plans for the Bavarian observatory station should continue. Announces that the report is finally being printed.
17 February 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/83
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses Charles Riddell's desire to serve at a North American observatory and the expenses involved.
10 April 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/84
Autograph letter signed by sender. Suggests a book of expenses be kept at the Royal Society [of London]
17 April 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/85
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses plans for a U.S. magnetic observatory and of [Karl] Kreil's paper about predicting earthquakes. Discusses the affairs of other observatories.
22 April 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/86
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received materials from [A. D.] Bache indicating that the U.S. government has proposed to establish 5 magnetic observatories.
24 April 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/87
Autograph letter signed by sender. Writes of a magnetic survey of a portion of India and the inaccuracy of the equipment used in magnetic observations at sea.
30 April 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/88
Autograph letter signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] Council approved publication of Edward Sabine's paper on magnetic observation at sea. Discussions for North American magnetic observatories continue.
1 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/89
Autograph letter signed by sender. Hopes to meet with John Frederick William Herschel to discuss some data. Announces that at the Newcastle B.A.A.S. meeting, John Frederick William Herschel, Humphrey Lloyd, and Edward Sabine were appointed to a subcommitt
19 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/90
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relays communications from [Charles] Riddell in Toronto, who is making progress on the observatory there and has selected an officer of the artillery for an assistant. Suggests the meeting of the Physical Committee be mo
26 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/91
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter from Boston, which may host an observatory. Has sent Boston information.
27 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/92
Autographed letter, incomplete. Encloses a letter from [John] Lefroy about an 'outbreak of [solar] spots' observed at a certain time. Speaks of purchasing instruments and of writing to the secretary of the Amer[ican Philosophical?] Society.
29 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/93
Autograph letter signed by sender. Tells of James Ross's broken instrument at the Cape and of efforts to send new equipment to him. Speaks of [Francis] Beaufort's magnetic observations at sea. Has looked for the memorial in the Athenaeum but does not beli
1 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/94
Autograph letter signed by sender. Says the needle of a magnetic instrument has been made heavier as requested by Edward Sabine. Mentions other instruments and their performances. Remarks on the Quarterly [Review].
6 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/95
Autograph letter signed by sender. Gentleman from Holland, sent by his King, has arrived and is eager to learn about and set up a magnetic observatory in Holland and two or three more in the Dutch colonies. Is excited about the possibility of a South Amer
8 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/96
Autograph letter signed by sender. Desires that John Frederick William Herschel read the enclosed work by Mrs. Sabine about Antarctica.
8 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/97
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses some comments of Archibald Smith about C. F. Gauss's General Theory. Believes Smith plans to go on an expedition. Mentions two new magnetometers, the building of a Cape observatory, and the recommendation to the
10 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/98
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for reading Mrs. Sabine's work. Discusses the work of C. F. Gauss and his observations regarding the southern hemisphere.
12 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/99
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces that the Quarterly Review has approved John Frederick William Herschel's article for immediate publication. Relays the message that John Frederick William Herschel should finish it as soon as possible.
1840-6 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/100
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will give Humphrey Lloyd's and his own latest magnetic data to John Frederick William Herschel for use in John Frederick William Herschel's report to the B.A.A.S. Observations continue in Milan. Year-long observations wi
28 August 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/101
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letters from Heinrich Boguslawski and others about magnetic observatories at various foreign locations, e.g., St. Helena, Toronto, and Hammerfest, Norway. Is going to Glasgow for the B.A.A.S. meeting. Mentions s
8 September 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/102
Autograph letter signed by sender. Excited about brilliant aurora in Toronto and the possibility of comparing magnetic data from observatories in North America, Europe, and St. Helena.
10 September 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/103
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from Sanchez Cerquero about meteorological observations. Has not yet received John Frederick William Herschel's report on the magnetic observatories.
16 September 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/104
Autograph letter signed by sender, damaged. Received and corrected John Frederick William Herschel's magnetism [B.A.A.S.] report. Mentions interesting account by Dr. [Johann] Lam[ont] about a vertical force magnet used in Munich. Edward Sabine read earlie
24 September 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/105
Autograph letter signed by sender. Actinometers for [Louis] Agassiz and John Caldecott are ready. Asks if John Frederick William Herschel wants to compare them to his standard instrument. Excessive magnetic disturbances in May were found simultaneously in
8 October 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/106
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has requested John Caldecott to do what is needful to his own and [Louis] Agassiz's actinometers. Mentions great magnetic disturbances in June are not correlated in Toronto, Greenwich, and other observatories. Mentions p
12 October 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/107
Autograph letter signed by sender. Consults John Frederick William Herschel before responding to Wilhelm Weber's proposal for publication of observations. Edward Sabine proposes to publish German data with data from Toronto, St. Helena, the Cape, and Van
6 November 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/108
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has John Frederick William Herschel any special instructions for [Louis] Agassiz's actinometers? Has sent Wilhelm Weber recent data for Toronto and St. Helena observatories while requesting Göttingen lunar observations.
12 November 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/109
Autograph letter signed by sender, with enclosure. Has received papers from Colonel Sykes. Describes (and includes a portion of) Lieutenant [Henry] Yule's report on broken instruments, which have prevented operations at Aden [?]. Suggests appointing a dir
21 November 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/110
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter to John Frederick William Herschel on magnetic survey in Canada and two letters from Leipzig, as well as proposals for reforms in B.A.A.S. Hopes to meet John Frederick William Herschel at the upcoming ann
25 November 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/111
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. B.A.A.S. defers letter from [John] Washington to Magnetic Committee. Asks for John Frederick William Herschel's approval for funding [Robert] Schomburgk's portable magnetic observatory. Joh
4 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/112
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses own copy of correspondence with Humphrey Lloyd and C. R. Fox about publication of magnetic observations. Mentions the affirmation of Lieutenant Younghusband in Canada. Will send the information to Charles Wheats
4 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/113
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from Humphrey Lloyd, whose opinion of himself Edward Sabine finds unpalatable. Asks for letter's return via Francis Beaufort.
1840-12-13? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/114
Autograph letter signed by sender. Requests recommendations on the instructions proposed by Edward Sabine for the magnetic expedition to Africa. Encloses meteorological observations by [Edward] Belcher, and other data related to magnetism in North America
17 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/115
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relates arrangements for the magnetic observations at Lucknow in India. Proposes using Göttingen mean time for observations at Lucknow. Humphrey Lloyd relates that Captain Boileau has begun observing at Sinnlaw [Sikkim?]
30 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/116
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from Mr. Meyerstein concerning the sending to England of a magnetometer with improvements introduced by Wilhelm Weber. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to arrange for the payment of the bill.
30 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/117
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends enclosure to John Frederick William Herschel. [Humphrey] Lloyd also has a copy and Lloyd will send comments directly to John Frederick William Herschel.
4 March 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/297
Autograph letter signed by sender. Pleased John Frederick William Herschel will be in London soon. George Peacock and William Whewell will become members of Magnetical Committee. Received information from [J. C.] Ross at Sydney.
11 December 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/298
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will send information from observatories where aurora are visible. Discusses occurrences at various observatories and a letter from [C.] Kreil to [A. T.] Kupffer regarding his observations.
20 February 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/303
Autograph letter signed by sender. [John] Lefroy should replace [Charles] Riddell in Canada. Discusses proposed Norwegian observatory and proposals for various instruments. Navy officers may be helpful observers in colonies.
10 May 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/308
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on letter from Humphrey Lloyd and latest information from [J. C.] Ross's voyage. Has received John Frederick William Herschel's meteorological plates.
23 August 1840? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/320
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on instruments being sent to Hamburg and to Egyptian observatories. Encloses portion of [K.] Kriel's letter to [A. T.] Kupffer. Reports on [Charles] Riddell's securing a site for a meteorological observatory.
26 March 1840? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/324
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Charles] Riddell's observations suggest Europe and North America experience magnetic disturbances at similar times, but in opposite directions. Suggests course of action for [Charles] Riddell and Lieutenant Younghusband
19 June 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/326
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. Hopes [Humphrey] Lloyd will reconsider V.F. Magnetometer based on John Frederick William Herschel's remarks. Discusses Canadian observatories. States who will perform U. S. magnetic survey. Discusses micromet
1840-4-25 or later Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/331Addressing Herschel in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Physics regarding the location for a magnetic survey of British colonies in North America. Sabine additionally refers to varying capabilities of the Canadian Magnetic Observatory and related expenses.
25 November 1840 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: MC/3/120
1841
Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses problem involving John Frederick William Herschel, George Peacock, Humphrey Lloyd, and Wilhelm Weber regarding the price of magnetometers. Also mentions reports of magnetic observations in Russia and at the Cap
9 January 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/118
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel's advice on the publication of various observations. Is also awaiting advice from Humphrey Lloyd.
11 January 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/119
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relates Humphrey Lloyd's complaint that John Frederick William Herschel sent Mr. Meyerstein's letter by mistake. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to forward [A. T.] Kupffer's letter along with those enclosed from Cha
19 January 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/120
Copy of a letter. Insists on inclusion of all data and graphs in the publication of the accumulated magnetic observations, made as part of 'perhaps the very greatest scientific operation ... ever ... undertaken....' Urges that funding be sought from the g
28 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/121
Autograph letter signed by sender. Assures John Frederick William Herschel that he will publish magnetic observations as John Frederick William Herschel desires. [Hussey] Vivian awaits the estimate of cost of publication. Encloses circular sent to the Bri
29 January 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/122
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has learned of the availability of a house at Kew, which could be used as a magnetic and meteorological observatory. Dr. Robinson has received the instruments.
5 February 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/123
Autograph letter signed by sender. Francis Beaufort will send John Frederick William Herschel sheets from James Ross covering trip from the Cape to Van Diemen's Land. Laments Charles Riddell's leave of absence but acknowledges replacement Lieutenant Young
20 February 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/124
Autograph letter signed by sender. Congratulates John Frederick William Herschel on his latest child. Notes that data from James Ross show great disturbances at the Kerguelen station simultaneously with Toronto and Greenwich. Has sent various data to C. F
4 March 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/125
Autograph letter signed by sender. Norwegian government plans to support a magnetic observatory. Discusses details concerning Royal Society [of London] logistical support and sources for instruments and training. Encloses Wilhelm Weber's letter concerning
18 March 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/126
Autograph letter signed by sender. Forwards request of the Secretary of the Treasury for justification of public monies for expenses incurred for magnetic and meteorological observations of the Antarctic expedition. Brief note from John Frederick William
24 April 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/127
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Provides examples to justify governmental support of various magnetic and meteorological observations. States that 'Terrestrial magnetism ... of all sciences of observation holds out the greatest present pro
27 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/128
Autograph letter signed by sender. Quotes passage from C. E. Trevelyan (Treasury Office) to [Hussey] Vivian concerning the number of copies of published data and the number of magnetic observatories. Requests John Frederick William Herschel's perusal and
28 April 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/129
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relates discussion with [Hussey] Vivian on magnetic survey of Africa and Treasury support thereof. Discusses administration of various stations.
1 May 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/130
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses the reductions and publication of magnetic observations from various stations. Describes report of the Antarctic expedition and the determination of the magnetic pole. Endorses proposal for Canadian Survey. Dis
9 July 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/131
Autograph letter signed by sender. Expresses his approval of James Ross's Antarctic survey, providing some of the details of it and his determination of the south magnetic pole. Gives details of Ross's plans.
2 September 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/132
Autograph letter signed by sender. Mentions a deletion of part of James Ross's dispatch. Clerk is receiving instructions from Charles Riddell before sailing to the Cape of Good Hope, from which observatory he expects a report in eight months. Asks whether
10 September 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/133
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. Speculation about land masses and climate in Arctic regions. Extols James Ross's talents. Discusses John Dalton's pension and who should be devoting efforts for approving pensions.
13 October 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/134
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses recent magnetic disturbances and their publication, as well as sending reports on them to G. B. Airy, Humphrey Lloyd, C. F. Gauss, and others.
1 December 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/135
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Encloses letter from G. B. Airy. Suggests new method of magnetic observation.
2 February 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/139
Autograph letter signed by sender. Presents data on various disturbances. Awaits advice from C. F. Gauss. Discusses determination of intervals between observations. Mentions proposal to continue observations for 3 years.
5 February 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/140
Copy of a letter. Advice for standardizing observations, to be given to the Physical Committee of the Royal Society [of London]
9 February 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/141
Autograph letter signed by sender. On discrepancy of data from G. B. Airy and Humphrey Lloyd. Captain Boileau and John Caldecott exchange instruments to normalize data. Will send letters from Airy, [A. T.] Kupffer, Lloyd, Edward Sabine, and John Frederick
24 February 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/142
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses plans for publishing magnetic storm data. Mentions transportable magnetic instruments and their use for a travelling observatory on an expedition to the Falkland Islands.
11 March 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/143
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends [James Clark] Ross's journal and revised B.A.A.S. magnetic report. Discusses proposals for observation in Africa. Edward Sabine will send various instruments to Africa.
9 October 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/299
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends letter from [A. T.] Kupffer regarding magnetic observations. Discusses Great Toronto Disturbance of 18 November and observation of it at Greenwich, St. Helena, and St. Petersburg.
1841? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/300
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thinks enclosed letter should be appended to [James] Farquharson's report on aurora. Wants to bring magnetometer to Alford. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel has [Humphrey] Lloyd's article regarding instruments.
8 March 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/301
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses proposed temperature experiments involving balloons. Prince Edward Island would be good observatory but funds are lacking. [C. F.] Gauss's article translated for Scientific Memoirs.
22 March 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/302
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wants John Frederick William Herschel to include [J. C.] Ross's instructions in his forthcoming report. Encloses tract on station errors. Discusses [Elias] Loomis's findings regarding errors in measurement.
12 July 1841 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/309
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. Will be happy to send particulars from [C. F.] Gauss's information. [Humphrey] Lloyd's instrument records changes in horizontal intensity best. Wants to employ magnetometers in New York.
7 February 1841? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/319
Autograph letter signed by sender. Corrects information from an earlier letter. [John] Caldecott stated that diurnal curve of declination changed with monsoon at Trivandum. Discusses [William] Allen and observation with transportable magnetometer.
22 July 1841? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/321
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends John Frederick William Herschel some actinometer observations and a letter from G. B. Airy to forward to Humphrey Lloyd. Also some observations of shooting stars made by [James] Farquharson.
3 March 1841? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/325
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Insists on inclusion of all data and graphs in the publication of the accumulated magnetic observations, made as part of 'perhaps the very greatest scientific operation ... ever ... undertaken....' Urges that funding be sought from the government.
28 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/78
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Provides examples to justify governmental support of various magnetic and meteorological observations. States that 'Terrestrial magnetism ... of all sciences of observation holds out the greatest present prospect of decisive reduction under ... exact theory.' Mentions work by N. L. Lacaille and Thomas Maclear at the Cape.
27 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/85
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Advice for standardizing observations, to be given to the Physical Committee of the Royal Society [of London]
9 February 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/111
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Comments on the operational and organizational details of the magnetic and meteorological observatories, and on the supervisory committee's [the Physical Committee of the Royal Society [of London]] responsibilities.
15 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/6/9
1842
Birth of Julia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1842
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1842: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the action of the rays of the solar spectrum on vegetable colours, and on some new photographic processes”
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will give John Frederick William Herschel's report on Kew Observatory to Charles Wheatstone. Sends John Frederick William Herschel actinometer reports. Questions methods of observation and quality of observers. Discusses
13 January 1842 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/136
Autograph letter signed by sender. Transmits message from [A. T.] Kupffer about setting up an observatory at Hammerfest and details about various apparati. Notes proposal for observatory in northern Siberia. Has ordered 250 copies of the Physical Committe
17 January 1842 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/137
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses at length and rejects John Frederick William Herschel's recommendation that communication in scientific projects take place solely by letter and theorization solely by individuals. Mentions subsequent variation
19 January 1842 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/138
Draft letter. Discusses time intervals for [magnetic] observation. Sorry a change was ever contemplated. Asks that his opinion be sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd and that Edward Sabine make the final decision on how to proceed.
12 July 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/145
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to consult [C. F.] Gauss concerning magnetical instructions. [Charles] Wilkes made mistake in distinguishing Balleny's[?] Land from 'American discoveries.' This has caused dispute.
31 August 1842 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/146
Incomplete letter, with annotations by recipient. Encloses [G. B.] Airy's letter, which he thinks should accompany [Humphrey] Lloyd's reply regarding magnetism. Thinks all Physical Committee members must be made aware of new developments.
1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/147
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses term and extra magnetic observations with regard to [Humphrey] Lloyd's letter. Would prefer to keep them separate, but feels no harm will come from keeping them together.
1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/148
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Hussey] Vivian supports E.S.'s efforts regarding a magnetic survey of North America. Has examined magnetic measurements made at Boston and Toronto.
1842-2? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/296
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sorry [F. W.] Bessel's health is 'so indifferent.' Glad John Frederick William Herschel is coming to [B.A.A.S. meeting].
1842-7 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/305
Autograph letter signed by sender. Magnetic survey of Austrian dominions to be undertaken. Sending portable apparatus for survey in Mediterranean along with instructions from [Charles] Riddell. Completed sea observations for Royal Society [of London]
17 August 1842 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/306
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses time intervals for [magnetic] observation. Sorry a change was ever contemplated. Asks that his opinion be sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd and that Edward Sabine make the final decision on how to proceed.
12 July 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/128
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses term and extra magnetic observations with regard to [Humphrey] Lloyd's letter. Would prefer to keep them separate, but feels no harm will come from keeping them together.
1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/144
1843
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends letter of [Johann] Lamont, whose suggestions have been adopted by the Physical Committee. Discusses size of instruments, particularly needles.
25 January 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/149
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses plans for printing of 4 maps of terrestrial isotherms prepared by [H. W.] Dove along with Dove's commentary.
26 January 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/150
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sent John Frederick William Herschel's letter concerning actinometers to all observatories. [Johann] Lamont must be informed of recent work. Edward Sabine comparing fluctuations of direction and force at Toronto and Van
14 February 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/151
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received a stray dispatch, dated at sea, from [James] Ross. Assumes Ross is on his way home.
26 May 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/152
Incomplete letter. Will undertake magnetic report except parts for which research is not yet completed. Needs [Johann] Lamont's recommendation regarding experiments. Sends [James] Ross's observations for perusal.
28 July 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/153
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses state of science in France. Magnetic instruments were ordered for Algiers, but Edward Sabine is uncertain whether they left Paris. Will send portion of magnetic report and letter from [A. D.] Bache among other
6 August 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/154
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends letter from [P. H. L. ] Boguslawski for John Frederick William Herschel's magnetic report. [John] Lefroy has found line of greatest intensity further south in Canada than Edward Sabine expected.
7 September 1843 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/317
1844
Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends actinometer returns for remarks and suggestions. Mentions public dinner for scientific community.
12 January 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/155
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends actinometric returns and drawing of comet from Hobarton Magnetic Observatory. [John] Lefroy's expedition in U.S. and Canada is going well. Received the observations from Algiers.
25 January 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/156
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from Dr. [John] Locke. Wants to loan him a magnetometer to set up a station at Cincinnati. Received [John] Caldecott's volume of John Frederick William Herschel's observations. Thinks publishing costs wil
23 March 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/157
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Encloses bills for the Committee. [Johann] Lamont will be in England that year to correct continental surveys. Glad John Frederick William Herschel will be president [of B.A.A.S. meeting] a
26 April 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/158
Autograph letter signed by sender. Magnetic phenomena move in opposite directions in the northern and southern hemispheres. This contradicts a report made by John Frederick William Herschel. Asks permission to omit John Frederick William Herschel's statem
26 September 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/159
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received notes on omission of passage [1844-9-26] in good time. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to return proof of report. Regaining strength before going back to study Toronto volume.
7 October 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/160
Autograph letter signed by sender. Edinburgh [Review] named someone else as the person who found the true correction of the rate of pendulums on account of the atmospheric medium. Edward Sabine actually discovered the correction first. Discusses [James] R
14 October 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/161
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending proof copies of the report on the Toronto meteorological observations. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to make suggestions for corrections and improvements.
19 October 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/162
Incomplete letter. Obliged for John Frederick William Herschel's comments regarding pendulum apparatus. Discusses the article that wrongly attributes Edward Sabine's discovery to [F. W.] Bessel and [Francis] Baily.
22 October 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/163
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Sends actinometer observations of 1841 and 1842, which he will publish. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to look them over and make comments.
9 November 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/164
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses Edward Sabine's experiments with convertible and travelling pendulums. Asks how 'für vaterländische Cultur' is to be translated for the list of societies.
11 November 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/165
Autograph letter signed by sender. Pleased that John Frederick William Herschel agrees on removal of tail pieces and moveable weights from pendulums. Discusses pendulum experiments in air and vacuums.
14 November 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/166
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses the best pendulum models inside and outside a vacuum apparatus. Edward Sabine will be given credit for improving the manipulation of pendulums. Makes several other comments regarding pendulums.
18 November 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/167
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will attend to John Frederick William Herschel's wishes regarding the correspondence. Discusses the buoyancy correction for particular types of pendulums. Asks if John Frederick William Herschel has received the magnetic
25 November 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/168
Draft letter. Responds to Edward Sabine's request for John Frederick William Herschel's remarks on the mode of registering and printing the actinometer observations.
27 November 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/169
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends 30 copies of John Frederick William Herschel's letters by coach. Will charge to the B.A.A.S. account.
6 December 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/170
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to Edward Sabine's request for John Frederick William Herschel's remarks on the mode of registering and printing the actinometer observations.
27 November 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/212
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Believes that rather than asking the government for more money to continue making magnetic observations, the six years of observations should be studied to see if further observations can be justified.
17 July 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/6/23
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Having been assured by Edward Sabine that the government might receive a request for more money for magnetic observations, John Frederick William Herschel retreats from his earlier position [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1844-7-17], and is willing to accept the possibility of a magnetic conference, which John Frederick William Herschel does not want to lead in any way. John Frederick William Herschel believes his scientific life is almost over and he has much to do.
22 July 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/6/24Enclosing Lieutenant Elliot's proposal of a magnetic survey around the Singapore magnetic observatory. [Enclosure not present.] [Letter read by Council on 2 May 1844.]
29 April 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: MC/4/21Regarding the magnetic observations taken during the Antarctic Expedition and the way in which they are and could be published. Sabine requests Herschel to present his proposal to the Committee of Physics and later to the President of the Society, [the Marquis of Northampton], and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. [The letter is enclosed with MC/4/32 within the volume.] [Read at Council on 13 June 1844.]
11 June 1844 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: MC/4/31
1845
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
Autograph letter signed by sender. Objection to G. B Airy's suggestion unexpected. Will see Dean of Ely [George Peacock] soon. Must review foreign letters to be sure none of consequence were omitted. Sends copy of the Toronto meteorology.
7 January 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/171
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Roderick] Murchison, [John] Phillips, and Edward Sabine will take care of present business. Will not convene B.A.A.S. council until autumn.
9 July 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/172
Autograph letter signed by sender. Selling price of B.A.A.S.'s catalogue must be decided. Sends John Frederick William Herschel's report for revision.
14 July 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/173
Autograph letter signed by sender. Not satisfied with arrangement of subjects in account of magnetic proceedings. Suggests alternative arrangement. [Francis] Beaufort appreciates suggestions regarding colonial establishments.
16 July 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/174
Autograph letter signed by sender. [John] Stevelly wants Edward Sabine to write about him. Edward Sabine sends Stevelly's letter directly to John Frederick William Herschel instead. Says he is a conscientious and painstaking preceptor.
5 August 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/175
Autograph letter signed by sender. Consulting with [Adolphe] Quetelet regarding some magnetic instruments. Discusses reply of Treasury regarding various endeavors. Discusses shipping charges on Russian materials.
3 September 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/176
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses magnetic experimentation with regard to naval officers. [A. T.] Kupffer's report is based on proceedings at Cambridge. Discusses scientific conference and foreign governments.
1 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/177Autograph letter signed by sender. Will neither affirm nor deny that he is Foreign Secretary of Royal Society [of London] Discusses importance of Foreign Secretary.
10 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/178
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wants John Frederick William Herschel to write the communication to Sir Robert Peel regarding the science conference. Foreign members are particularly anxious that John Frederick William Herschel do this.
14 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/179
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received John Frederick William Herschel's note saying Lord Northampton already wrote to Sir Robert Peel. Wants to explain how Royal Society [of London] was left without a foreign secretary.
15 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/180
Autograph letter signed by sender. Does not think John Frederick William Herschel should write Sir Robert Peel pending his reply to Lord Northampton. Preparing [John] Lefroy's Canadian Survey for publication.
17 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/181
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends communication on meteorology in Bombay for comments. [A. T.] Kupffer's communication makes Edward Sabine think large scale magnetical surveys are being planned. Discusses possibilities for such experiments in Russi
18 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/182
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sent Lord Northampton a statement describing the manner in which foreign communications have taken place. Returning to Woolwich. [Henry] Goulburn may see him there.
28 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/183
Autograph letter signed by sender. Saw [Henry] Goulburn, who will ask Lord Aberdeen to notify foreign governments that the British government will continue the magnetic observatories. Hopes observatories will continue in those countries too.
29 October 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/184
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thinks Dean of Ely [George Peacock] should be appointed treasurer of Royal Society [of London] Discusses George Rennie and Robert Brown as other possible candidates.
1 November 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/185
Autograph letter signed by sender. Communication from [Henry] Goulburn is official. Government will continue observatories and acquaint other governments with them. Admiralty will furnish meteorological instruments for coast stations.
1 November 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/186
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses copy of letter to Lord Northampton that Northampton was to send on to [Henry] Goulburn. John Frederick William Herschel may send it to [Henry] Addington or to the states that have cooperated.
17 November 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/187
Autograph letter signed by sender. Elected Foreign Secretary of Royal Society [of London] Discusses a shipment of books from Russia and a shipment of releases for fellows, the public, and the Royal Society [of London] library.
8 December 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/188
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses shipping charges for books sent by [Adolphe] Quetelet from Russia. Discusses position of Admiralty regarding observatories.
15 December 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/189
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wants John Frederick William Herschel to sign certificate for [Joseph] Kay. Mrs. Sabine will resume her translation of [Alexander von Humboldt's] Cosmos. Mr. Gyde has not received list of presentation copies of the B.A.A
22 December 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/190
Autograph letter signed by sender. Please notify Edward Sabine of date for the council [of B. A. A. S?] to meet. Oxford is most eligible of Southampton invitations. Sir Robert [Inglis] is best candidate for president.
30 December 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/191
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses resolutions and report for Sir Robert Peel for John Frederick William Herschel's signature. Other information to follow.
5 July 1845 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/304
1846
Birth of Francisca Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1846
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1846: To 1847
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has the opinion regarding Oxford of S. J. A. Compton (Lord Northampton). This will make his absence less consequential if he cannot attend the Council meeting.
2 January 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/192
Autograph letter signed by sender. Council will meet Friday 16 January. Does not think [Roderick] Murchison has returned. [Alexander von Humboldt's] Cosmos was reviewed well.
7 January 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/193
Draft letter. [Charles] Lyell, [Roderick] Murchison, and John Frederick William Herschel will speak at B.A.A.S. [T. R.] Robinson should be notified that he will not need to speak at the meeting. Sees few advantages to combining all existing scientific soc
8 July 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/194
Autograph letter signed by sender. Describes mistakes made by Royal Society [of London] in sending letters to [Christopher] Hansteen through Stockholm.
16 January 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/195
Autograph letter signed by sender. Proceedings of Royal Society [of London] sent to recently regenerated Poudois[?] Society. [Joseph] Kay's observations will be sent to all observatories. Discusses election of fellows to Royal Society [of London], the suc
20 June 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/196
Autograph letter signed by sender. Spoke to [T. R.] Robinson, who will not speak at meeting [See HS 15.194]. Housing all scientific societies in one building would not impede their individual endeavors and would have some advantages.
10 July 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/197
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses cotton that allegedly gives equal projectile with less recoil than gunpowder. May have important implications for breech loading rifle.
29 August 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/198
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel must inform Lt. Dayman of the actinometer observations to be done. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for his actions regarding the Royal Medal. Wants to show Lord Angbury[?] a copy Jo
21 November 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/199
Autograph letter signed by sender. U. J. J. Leverrier has written and asked that John Frederick William Herschel receive the [Royal Society [of London]] medal for him.
25 November 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/200
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses possible meteorological and magnetic research possibilities in the colonies, particularly at Bermuda.
29 December 1846 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/201
Autographed letter, incomplete. [Detached postscript] Ask president of 'B. I. Academy' to inform council of Math and Physics section how to handle [Robert] Mallet's paper and Sir W. Hamilton's letter.
1846 or later Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/19/293
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. [Charles] Lyell, [Roderick] Murchison, and John Frederick William Herschel will speak at B.A.A.S. [T. R.] Robinson should be notified that he will not need to speak at the meeting. Sees few advantages to combining all existing scientific societies into one.
8 July 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/275
1847
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1847: Until 1849
Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal
1847: Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society "For his work entitled Results of Astronomical Observations made during the years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825"
Sir John Herschel publishes a paper
1847: Sir John Herschel publishes Results of astronomical observations made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses application for meteorological and magnetic observatories from governor of New Brunswick. May establish observations in all colonies for limited time. Puzzled over [John] Lefroy's results from Athabasca.
8 February 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/202
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has discovered a flaw in the theory of actinometer observations. Realizes that John Frederick William Herschel's actinometer observations at the Cape may be useless and that observations made at Government and East India
20 February 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/203
Autograph letter signed by sender. Copies of 1847-2-20 letter will be sent to observatories utilizing actinometers. Earlier series will be replaced with accurate figures. Suggests method to measure temperature in actinometers.
23 February 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/204
Autograph letter signed by sender. Should Edward Sabine send thermometers to observatories? John Frederick William Herschel and [Francis] Beaufort to consider debt owed to Hudson Bay Company. Sends letter describing photometer of [John] Ball for John Fred
14 June 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/205
Incomplete letter. Sent new actinometers and thermometers to various observatories along with John Frederick William Herschel's instructions.
16 August 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/206
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses Mrs. Sabine's translation of [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos, particularly some theological passages.
13 September 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/207
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further discusses the translation of [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos [see HS 15.207].
8 October 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/208
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses use of 'force' versus use of 'power' in translating [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Says science has outgrown 'force.' [See 1847-10-8]
9 October 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/209
Autograph letter signed by sender. Preparing instruments and instructions for various expeditions. Discusses Edward Sabine's wife's translation of [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos and the [Royal Society [of London]] Council.
25 December 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/210
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses the meteorological observations made on board the Pagoda, particularly the effect of latitude and longitude on barometric readings.
31 December 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/211
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received memorandum from John Frederick William Herschel concerning magnetic instruments and instructions for their use. Happy to comply with Lordship's request for general instructions for magnetic instruments. Received
31 December 1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/212
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad John Frederick William Herschel is writing the meteorology. Collecting materials for charts of ocean. Forwards some of this to John Frederick William Herschel for comments.
1847?-3-3. Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/307
Autograph letter signed by sender. Elizabeth Sabine's translation of [Alexander von Humboldt's] Cosmos is nearly complete. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will accept invitation to review it in Edinburgh Review. Encloses account of great disturbance
1847 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/328
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has discovered a flaw in the theory of actinometer observations. Realizes that John Frederick William Herschel's actinometer observations at the Cape may be useless and that observations made at Government and East India observatories should be suspended.
20 February 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/303
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses use of 'force' versus use of 'power' in translating [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Says science has outgrown 'force.' [See 1847-10-8]
9 October 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/329
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has discovered a flaw in the theory of actinometer observations. Realizes that John Frederick William Herschel's actinometer observations at the Cape may be useless and that observations made at Government and East India observatories should be suspended.
20 February 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/7/4
1848
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is formed, by John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rosetti and others
1848
Napoleon III is elected first President of France
20 December 1848
Autograph letter signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] selecting foreign members. Asks John Frederick William Herschel's opinion of a number of foreign scientists and also his opinion of what he, as foreign secretary, should do in this matter.
5 January 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/213
Autograph letter signed by sender. [S. J. A. Compton,] Lord Northampton will resign as president of Royal Society [of London] Edward Sabine discusses proposed changes in office of president, and asks John Frederick William Herschel to consider taking the
24 January 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/214
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that Edward Sabine and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
25 January 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/215
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends own article on magnetic surveys at sea. Requests comments. Discusses foreign distribution of star catalogues approved by the council and election of foreign members of Royal Society [of London]
29 January 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/216
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sorry John Frederick William Herschel will not undertake Royal Society [of London] presidency. Discusses meteorology and magnetism. [J. D.?] Robinson's instrument works well.
13 March 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/217
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends astronomical observations of the Rattlesnake received from Mr. Dayman.
17 March 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/218
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will correct his contribution to John Frederick William Herschel's scientific manual. Discusses [Humphrey] Lloyd's apparatus for measurement of total force.
23 March 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/219
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sorry John Frederick William Herschel's family has influenza. Encloses letter from [John] Lefroy regarding actinometers.
28 March 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/220
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends meteorological register contracts from [John] Lefroy. Discusses observations of aurora in North America. Discusses recent magnetic disturbances and similar disturbances in 1841 and 1847.
12 April 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/221
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses reduction of observations, continuation of various observatories, and the necessary financial arrangements for each. John Frederick William Herschel's actinometer instructions were misunderstood at Toronto.
17 June 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/222
Autograph letter signed by sender. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel can attend council meeting on 7 July. Thinks Kew Observatory could be made an important magnetic and meteorological station.
23 June 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/223
Autograph letter signed by sender. Hoping John Frederick William Herschel receives [Francis] Ronalds's and [W. R.] Birt's statements regarding Kew Observatory. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to bring William Parson's note to their [John Frederick Wi
3 July 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/224
Autograph letter signed by sender. [John] Murray is wrong; Edward Sabine has no more manuscripts. Admiralty orders many ships to perform meteorological observations. Old Royal Society [of London] meteorological forms out of date.
29 July 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/225
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received intelligence from [W. H.] Sykes that [William] Mann will have appointment at Madras. Knows [W. R.] Birt wants to succeed Mann [at Cape Observatory].
30 July 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/226
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Charles?] Brooke received £500 for his photographic apparatus. Thinks [Francis] Ronalds should receive similar compensation for his device. Discusses apparatus and award.
9 September 1848 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/227
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. [Francis] Ronalds's method of automatic registry is more useful than [Charles?] Brooke's in the colonies. Brooke's required camphine[?], which is difficult to obtain.
1848-7-30 or earlie Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/332
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that Edward Sabine and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
25 January 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/8
Herschel expresses regret to learn of Lord Northampton’s [Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton] resignation from the presidency of the Royal Society and the ‘manner’ in which it occurred. Herschel is grateful that Sabine and others wish him to hold the office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
25 January 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/273
Refers to letters from [William Radcliffe] Birt and [Francis] Ronalds. Herschel agrees with Birt’s reasons for continuing the Kew Observatory and refers to Birt’s offer to maintain the Observatory for a while. Discussion regarding the main issue of finance and the funds of the [British] Association.
1 June 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/274
Herschel cannot give his support for an application to the government ‘to take on itself the support of the Kew Observatory’ as he believes the Observatory will be ineffective if it is not the private observatory of the British Association. Therefore, Herschel wishes not to attend a meeting to draw up an application for government support. However, he approves of the committee revising the report.
31 July 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/275
Herschel supports the proposed course of action to procure for [Francis] Ronalds half of the grant and recognition given to [Charles] Brooke alone for similar photographic invention.
15 November 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/276
1849
Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses letter to [G. B.] Airy and John Frederick William Herschel's response to it. Discusses instruments at Toronto Observatory. Describes 18 November 1841 magnetic disturbances. Working on Atlantic declination maps.
3 January 1849 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/228Expressing support for Captain [Charles Morgan] Elliott's proposal to connect all Indian observatories with the instruments of the magnetical survey of the Indian archipelago.
1 November 1849 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/4/296
1850
Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint
1850
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses shipping some of John Frederick William Herschel's books, with a shipment of other books for the Royal Society, to the Royal Society [of London] in order to save shipping charges.
25 February 1850 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/229
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad John Frederick William Herschel received gelatine paper. Discusses magnetic experiments at Toronto and Hobarton. Discusses Royal Society [of London] committees and preparation of instruments for Arctic expedition.
6 March 1850 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/230
Incomplete. Hypothesizes that annual variation of Dip and Total Force at Toronto may be caused by greater proximity of earth and sun. Discusses annual variations.
8 March 1850 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/231
Autograph letter signed by sender, incomplete. Glad to have seen Lady Herschel and children. Is recovering slowly. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for interest in [Francis] Ronalds's work. Discusses paper Edward Sabine has submitted for Philosophic
15 February 1850 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/336Agreeing with Dr [Humphrey] Lloyd's opinion on the proposed continuance of the Toronto Observatory. Herschel reiterates its importance to scientific advancement and is in support of a temporary continuance in order to complete work that has been started.
28 December 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/4/373
Herschel thanks [Francis] Ronalds for supply of paper. Refers to Sabine’s discovery about the direction of change in the earth's magnetism, the link to the northern and southern hemispheres, and relates it to suns and other electric currents. Discusses the pressure of an electrical current and developing magnetic forces. In the suns light discusses auroras. Refers to [Heinrich Wilhelm] Dove’s remarks on the globe, ‘superficial temperature and the magnetic force’. Reference to ‘atmospheric electricity’. [This letter is continued in MS/257/2/280].
10 March 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/279
[This letter is a continuation of MS/257/2/279]. Discusses the abolition of the scientific committees [of The Royal Society] and urges Sabine that ‘something must be done’. Herschel has been asked to recommend a possible successor to John Caldecott [at Travancore], and notes he wishes he ‘was better satisfied with [William Radcliffe] Birt’s astronomical capabilities’.
10 March 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/280
Herschel thanks Sabine for forwarding [John Henry] Lefroy’s letter. Mentions cirrus cloud formations foreshadowing aurora. Herschel was unable to attend The Royal Society Committee meeting and refers to his availability. Herschel shares concerns that 'outlying' members be able to relay opinions through letters. Refers to a Kew Committee meeting.
22 May 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/281
1851
Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition
1851
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Wants advice regarding recalculation of magnetic lines using [C. F.] Gauss's method and new numerical data. This will be a provisional calculation.
22 August 1851 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/232
Autograph letter signed by sender. Saw [J. B.] Listing, who may see John Frederick William Herschel soon. Sends volume of Cape magnetic observations. Thermometer at Kew is a great success. New thermometers compare favorably with [Henri] Regnault's.
7 October 1851 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/233
Autograph letter signed by sender. Read John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual meteorology article. Disagrees with statement regarding barometer and pressure of dry atmosphere. Discusses atmosphere and barometer at some length.
10 November 1851 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/234
Signed with sender's name by an amanuensis. Cannot offer advice regarding geo-magnetism. Suggests Edward Sabine ask [C. F.] Gauss for assistance.
23 August 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/107
Remarks on a correction in the manual regarding some fluctuation of heating and cooling. Refers to local effects, magnetic observations from the [Cape of Good Hope].
23 November 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/283
1852
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses regulations of bequest, which will benefit chemistry and physics. Discusses relationship between solar spot period and magnetic disturbances. Wants John Frederick William Herschel's comments on paper regarding
16 March 1852 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/235
Autograph letter signed by sender. Believes similarity of period of solar spots and that of terrestrial magnetic variation is more than coincidental.
12 April 1852 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/236
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses magnetic observations from Toronto and Hobarton from the 1840s. Attempting to determine when range of variation was greatest.
16 April 1852 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/237
Copy of a letter. Stopped compilation of comet orbits because it had already been done. Would provide money from donation fund to distribute copies of this information.
31 July 1852 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/114
Herschel thanks Mrs [Elizabeth Juliana Leeves] Sabine for the translation of the third volume of Alexander von Humboldt's Cosmos and admires his work. Herschel questions [Humboldt’s] references in notes. Refers to [Samuel Heinrich] Schwabe’s ‘period of ten years for solar spots’ and the ‘periodicity of the sun’ [referring to the solar cycle]. Discusses meeting for Wintringham Committee.
15 March 1852 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/282
1854
Draft letter. Discusses auroral observation. Will reply to [John] Lefroy's letter soon. Wants grant proposals sent to outlying Royal Society [of London] members for comments. Cannot attend Kew Committee meeting.
22 May 1854 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/238
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses auroral observation. Will reply to [John] Lefroy's letter soon. Wants grant proposals sent to outlying Royal Society [of London] members for comments. Cannot attend Kew Committee meeting.
22 May 1854 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/147
1855
Birth of Constance Anne Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1855
Sir John Herschel is elected Foreign Associate of the Institut de France
1855
Sir John Herschel resigns from his position as Master of the Mint
1855
1856
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad John Frederick William Herschel is recovering and free from official duties [at the Mint]. Discusses his upcoming papers regarding magnetism.
9 February 1856 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/239
1857
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses [H. W.] Dove's works regarding rotating storms. New information from Russian observatories gives a more complete understanding of the phenomenon. Has not seen Keith Johnson's new edition of Physical Atlas.
19 March 1857 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/240
Copy of a letter. Thanks Edward Sabine for his paper. Sun spot activity should increase in 1857. Discusses his own earlier ideas concerning relationship between sun spots and Aurora Borealis.
3 April 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/241
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad to know which of Edward Sabine's papers John Frederick William Herschel has. Sends another along with maps from [Keith] Johnson's Physical Atlas. Discusses John Frederick William Herschel's ideas regarding relations
6 April 1857 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/242
Autograph letter signed by sender. Mentions [P.] Plantamour's memoir on barometer and a criticism by Mr. Dilams[?]. Comprehending why variations of magnetic disturbances correspond in period with terrestrial year is difficult.
6 April 1857 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/243
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to read Edward Sabine's publications for the Royal Society [of London] proceedings concerning colonial magnetic observations. Wishes John Frederick William Herschel could see Royal So
26 May 1857 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/244
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad John Frederick William Herschel is reviewing advancement of science by Royal Society [of London] members. Disappointed that little was accomplished in certain areas where more was expected.
25 June 1857 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/245
Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns polar maps. Advises on methods of map projection, favoring polar projection. Working on new maps.
1857? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/330
Copy of a letter. Writing article [for Encyclopaedia Britannica] on meteorology. Asks questions regarding work of [H. W.] Dove and [Thomas?] Taylor regarding cyclone and storm theory. Discusses barometric fluctuation.
15 March 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/191
Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks Edward Sabine for his paper. Sun spot activity should increase in 1857. Discusses his own earlier ideas concerning relationship between sun spots and Aurora Borealis.
3 April 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/193
Copy of a letter. Discusses advantages of different magnetic charts. Grateful for [P.] Plantamour's observations. Satisfied with [J. R.] Wolf's period of 11.11 years for solar spots.
8 April 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/195
Copy of a letter. Heard Edward Sabine recommended John Frederick William Herschel write an article for Edinburgh Review on terrestrial magnetism. Asks what he should read to write this article. Photographs Edward Sabine sent of sun not promising.
15 May 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/199
Copy of a letter. Willing to write article if Quarterly [Review] will publish it, if he may take his time writing, and if Edward Sabine will provide aid regarding meteorology and magnetism.
9 June 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/203
1858
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses ellipticity and results of [G. B.] Airy and [F. W.] Bessel. Also, [Alexander von] Humboldt's magnetic results.
26 February 1858 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/246
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wife not well enough to visit Collingwood. Edward Sabine may come next week. University of Kasan Observatory may assist British endeavors. Mr. Bolyani is very capable.
2 July 1858 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/247
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends section X and earlier paper on Kew and Nertschinsk disturbances, which supply key to theory of magnetic disturbances.
1 February 1858? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/315
Copy of a letter. John Frederick William Herschel's improved health would allow him, if asked, to chair the Chemical Section at the B.A.A.S meeting. Notes that John Frederick William Herschel, G. B. Airy, William Whewell, and George Peacock have been appo
6 February 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/222
Copy of a letter. Must hold to 1/290 as measure of ellipticity. Committee agrees to recommend continuance of magnetic observations if John Frederick William Herschel will continue to do what he has done in the past.
28 April 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/230
Copy of a letter. Sends G. B. Airy's remarks concerning Edward Sabine's last communication. Discusses future of observatories. Asks Edward Sabine to indicate which observatories he feels are most important.
18 June 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/232
Copy of a letter. Has incorporated Edward Sabine's suggestions into the draft report about [the University of] Kasan.
1858-7-3 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/27
Copy of a letter. Invites Edward Sabine and his wife [at St. Leonard's] to visit . John Frederick William Herschel is impressed with Edward Sabine's ability to develop a working plan for terrestrial magnetism observations. Is prepared to write a review article [about magnetism?] if invited, but John Frederick William Herschel refuses to write such articles and offer them 'for acceptance or rejection.'
1858-7-1 or earlier Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/28
Copy of a letter. Thanks Edward Sabine for receipt of information about magnetic curves and the work of [A. D.] Bache. John Frederick William Herschel is glad to hear Edward Sabine is back to active work again, but John Frederick William Herschel says he is too ill to go to the B.A.A.S. meeting [in Aberdeen].
1858 to 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/29Regarding a report on magnetism to be laid before the next Council meeting [on 28 October 1858].
24 October 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/5/364
Herschel is glad to sign a certificate. Herschel complains about the tendency of [Alexander von] Humboldt, whose volume Mrs [Elizabeth Juliana Leeves] Sabine is translating, to ignore other scientists' work, such as [George Biddell] Airy’s work regarding the divisions of the earth.
25 February 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/284
Herschel describes in detail the proceedings of a committee meeting, particularly noting remarks made about Sabine and stressing the committee's wish to see evidence of progress. Includes Sabine’s responses to the committee’s enquiries.
8 May 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/285
1859
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would be glad to accompany John Frederick William Herschel to Kew to see instruments.
7 November 1859 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/248
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will travel to Kew Tuesday. Encloses answer to Duke of Newcastle regarding proposal for colonies. Welcomes any comments from John Frederick William Herschel.
11 November 1859 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/249
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from Colonial Office to Royal Society [of London], which was referred to Edward Sabine because [B. C.] Brodie was out of town. Brodie hopes to see John Frederick William Herschel when John Frederick Willi
12 November 1859 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/250
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reluctant to recommend undertaking major scientific projects in colonies at government expense. Believes situation there will work itself out.
13 November 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/252
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses [Angelo] Secchi's letter. Can supply the Jesuits in Cuba with magnetic apparatus they need. Discusses Secchi's views on cause of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
18 November 1859 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/253
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Must postpone meeting at Kew Observatory because of a severe cold. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to choose a later date.
1859-11-7 or earlie Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/311
Copy of a letter. Discusses desirability of middle latitude stations in North America. Impressed by the work of [A. D.] Bache.
17 July 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/266
Copy of a letter. John Frederick William Herschel cannot attend Aberdeen [B.A.A.S.] meeting due to severe illness. Will try to sketch draft of response to application to British and foreign governments for cooperation in magnetic projects.
1 September 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/274
Copy of a letter. Requests information concerning a letter to the Treasury, which Edward Sabine had asked John Frederick William Herschel to write, regarding funding for [meteorological] stations in Vancouver, Shanghai, Newfoundland, and the Falkland Isla
28 October 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/281
Copy of a letter. Will accompany Edward Sabine to Kew Observatory. Serving as legatee for the recently deceased Elizabeth Baily, sister of Francis Baily.
8 November 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/283
Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Reluctant to recommend undertaking major scientific projects in colonies at government expense. Believes situation there will work itself out.
13 November 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/287
1860
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Proceedings of the Royal Society
1860: Sir John Herschel publishes some “Remarks on colour-blindness" extracted from a referee report on Pole’s paper on the same subject.
Copy of a letter. Against changing location of Royal Observatory [from Greenwich], but will defer to opinion of [G. B. Airy] Astronomer Royal. Airy is most competent to judge situation. Still ill.
29 March 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/300
Copy of a letter. Too ill to work on anything besides nebula catalogue. Discusses recent meteorological phenomena, period of solar spots, and great pyramid.
3 May 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/301
Copy of a letter. Occupied with matters besides magnetism lately. Interest in science of Prince Consort [Albert] is praiseworthy. Discusses several observatories and letter of [T. W.?] Blakiston.
2 August 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/302
Copy of a letter. Lists magnetic books received from Edward Sabine. It will be some time before John Frederick William Herschel can direct his attention to magnetic issues.
17 September 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/308
Copy of a letter. Asks for information concerning the magnetic observations and compilations made in various countries and regions.
29 November 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/320
Copy of a letter. Thanks for declination readings from photograms at Kew. Thinks meteorological observatory on Vesuvius is good idea, but not sure a magnetic one is. Includes two charts of world.
20 December 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/322
1861
Death of Margaret Louisa Marshall, née Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1861
William Morris established the decorative design firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company (later Morris & Company)
1861
Charles Dickens publishes Great Expectations as a three-volume book
1861
Sir John Herschel publishes Physical Geography as part of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
1861
Abraham Lincoln begins his term as President of the United States
4 March 1861
Draft letter. Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.
29 January 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/254
Autograph letter signed by sender. Like John Frederick William Herschel, Smyths have been suffering bronchial problems. Urges John Frederick William Herschel not to give up [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1861-1-29] plan of John Frederick William H
30 January 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/255
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends letter regarding meteorology from the Smithsonian to John Frederick William Herschel. Pleased with magnetic work of [A. D.] Bache at Girard College.
29 July 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/256
Autograph letter signed by sender. Certain the Colonial Secretary [Duke of Newcastle] would write to governor of Malta on behalf of [William] Lassell.
7 August 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/257
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letter from [W. P.] Wilson of Melbourne and Edward Sabine's response for John Frederick William Herschel's perusal. Discusses [Warren] de La Rue's work on solar photography.
31 August 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/258
Autograph letter signed by sender. Requests John Frederick William Herschel sign certificate for [W. F.] Hook. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to forward it to William Whewell for his signature.
5 December 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/259
Autograph letter signed by sender. A metallic thermometer will be constructed at Kew Observatory to test John Frederick William Herschel's proposal. Experiments on Index of Friction of gases to be resumed at Kew.
9 December 1861 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/310
Draft letter. Advises on the construction of the Melbourne reflecting telescope. Thinks [W. P.] Wilson should come to watch construction.
1861-8-31 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/334
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.
29 January 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/324
Copy of a letter. Has signed certificate for [W. F.] Hook. [See Edward Sabine 1861-12-5] Congratulates Edward Sabine [on presidency of Royal Society [of London]]. John Frederick William Herschel on B.A.A.S. balloon committee. Proposes design for metallic
6 December 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/354
Copy of a letter. Pleased Edward Sabine and [Balfour?] Stewart like plan for metallic thermometer. Suggests way to obviate effect of pendulous movement of the suspended weight.
11 December 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/355
1862
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wants suggestions as to whom Royal Society [of London] should award medals.
10 May 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/260
Autograph letter signed by sender. Tells who received Royal Society [of London] medals. Discusses possibility that [Henri] Regnault's recent work deserves Copley Medal. Wants John Frederick William Herschel's opinions. John Frederick William Herschel's le
6 November 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/261
Autograph letter signed by sender. Lord Rosse agrees with John Frederick William Herschel regarding Melbourne telescope. His only objection to proposed increase in size is because of the added expense.
11 November 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/262
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends [William] Lassell's reply and John Frederick William Herschel's own letter regarding telescope at Melbourne for review. All will be forwarded to Lord Rosse. Also sends lithograph.
14 November 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/263
Draft letter. Discusses proposed Melbourne telescope, including [William] Lassell's proposed mounting and its implications for observing nebulae.
18 November 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/264
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses proposed Melbourne telescope, opinions of various scientists, and projected costs of construction.
5 December 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/265
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends [William] Lassell's letter regarding Melbourne telescope. Pleased with scientific memoirs received from Harvard College.
6 December 1862 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/266
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel will be pleased with Mr. de Souza's and [Charles] Smallwood's letters. American and Havana instruments were dispatched. [Hermann] Schlagintweit has made interesting magnetic survey of Indi
11 February 1862? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/329
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. John Frederick William Herschel's catalog of nebulae, reduced to 1880 as originally planned, is nearly complete and consumed all of £20 granted by R.S.L. Seeks £16 more to expand catalog and reduce data to 1860, as recommended by G. B. Airy.
15 August 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/384
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses proposed Melbourne telescope, including [William] Lassell's proposed mounting and its implications for observing nebulae.
18 November 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/395Regarding Herschel's reduction of a general catalogue of nebulae to 1880, for which the Society had granted him £20. Following communication with the Astronomer Royal [George Biddell Airy], Herschel proposes a slightly broader project and requests an additional grant of approximately £16 for a reduction to 1860.
15 August 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/6/244
1863
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wrote to [A.] Sawitsch regarding Russian pendulum experiments. Encloses Sawitsch's reply. Discusses experimental possibilities.
2 February 1863 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/267
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends [Warren] de La Rue's letter on Southern[?] Telescope for John Frederick William Herschel's review. Swedish Academy working on reviving project of measuring arc of meridian.
17 February 1863 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/268
Signed with sender's name by an amanuensis. Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
22 February 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/269
Draft of a letter. Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.
22 February 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/270
Autograph letter signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] Council has decided to publish correspondence regarding the Melbourne telescope. Sends early pages for John Frederick William Herschel's corrections.
27 June 1863 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/271
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] Club locale changed to St. James's Hotel. Wants John Frederick William Herschel's advice on two papers Edward Sabine is writing on results from Kew Observatory.
22 October 1863 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/272
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel to read his paper on nebulae Thursday, 19 Nov. Dinner will be at St. James's Hotel.
29 October 1863 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/273
Autograph letter signed by sender. Describes pendulum design. Believes [Henry] Kater's is the best. Regrets Russians want to make own pendulum. Discusses nominees, including [G. P.] Bond, for Royal Society [of London] foreign membership.
2 March 1863? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/313
Copy of a letter. Agrees that the pendulum should be observed at major Indian stations because Russians did not avail themselves of offered vacuum apparatus and pendulums.
5 February 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/8
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
22 February 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/11
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.
22 February 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/12
Copy of a letter. Accepts invitation to dine with Edward Sabine. Working on sixth edition of Outlines Astr. Has sent argument against converting to metric system to Leeds.
25 October 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/21
1864
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Plans to confer with [J. T.] Walker and F. A. T. Winnecke from Pulkovo to learn of Russian pendulum experiments before reporting to R.S.L. council. J. H. Pratt's measurement of polar axis and theory about earth's center of gravity.
11 June 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/47In favour of the Colonel Walker's proposed pendulum experiments in the Indian Trigonometrical Survey. Herschel elaborates on the required stations and measurements.
16 June 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/7/99
Herschel hoped to attend Sabine's soiree but has influenza. Herschel praises Sabine's report on Mr McClintock's magnetic observations at Port Barrow. Refers to the solar diurnal deviation. Herschel hopes Mrs [Elizabeth Juliana Leeves] Sabine is recovered from her illness.
29 April 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/289
1865
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks whether Greenwich Board of Visitors should meet to answer communication from Admiralty or if a response could be circulated among Visitors and sent if it meets with approval.
15 March 1865 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/274
Autograph letter signed by sender, with enclosure. Visitors Board will meet to discuss railway companies' proposal to remove Greenwich Observatory to another site. Includes copy of Warren de La Rue's letter to Edward Sabine.
25 March 1865 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/275
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends, for John Frederick William Herschel's signature, request from daughter of the late W. R. Hamilton for continuance of Hamilton's pension.
2 October 1865 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/276
Herschel discusses his proposed resolution to a controversy over whether to build [the Greenwich railway way tunnel] under [Greenwich] Park [see MS/257/2/291]. Herschel informs Sabine he will be unable to attend a meeting because of chronic bronchitis.
18 March 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/290
Discusses negotiations between the government and the Royal Society regarding Meteorological Departments of the Board of Trade. Discussion regarding the required changes at Kew Observatory to make it part of a government department. Refers to Balfour Stewart and his ‘excellent’ charge of the ‘establishment’.
27 June 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/292
1866
Sir John Herschel publishes his translation of Homer’s Iliad
1866
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Opposes sending expensive scientific equipment for J. B. N. Hennessey to use in India; suggests instead a variety of useful observations needing to be made, using inexpensive equipment. Discusses son's [Alexander] spectroscope observations of meteors.
11 August 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/277
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Discusses [John] Hennessey's proposal [see Edward Sabine's 1866-8-11]. Suggests sending achromatic along with a qualified observer. Thinks Alexander Herschel might be suitable for such a post. Melbourne tele
18 August 1866 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/278
Draft letter. Did not realize [John] Hennessey was considering constructing an achromatic telescope. Thanks Edward Sabine for considering his son, Alexander, for the Melbourne post.
30 August 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/279
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. B.A.A.S. appointed Committee to explore astronomical and meteorological possibilities in India. Considers [G. G.] Stokes's recommendation among the best. Suggests meteorological experiments.
1 September 1866 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/280
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Further recommendations regarding useful equipment and observations to be made in India [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1866-8-11]. Agrees that meteorological experiments there are desirable. Offers John Frederick William Herschel's son John's experience of India to Edward Sabine.
4 September 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/281
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Informs John Frederick William Herschel that his comments against sending a major telescope to India were decisive [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1866-8-11 and 1866-9-4]; biggest cost impediment was
3 December 1866 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/282
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Maintains that a first class refractor is not needed at Masouri in India [see Edward Sabine's 1866-9-4]. No special characteristics there justify the great expense of such a project.
5 December 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/283
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Discusses current debate over placement of telescope in India. Discusses various possibilities for telescope.
6 December 1866 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/284
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Opposes sending expensive scientific equipment for J. B. N. Hennessey to use in India; suggests instead a variety of useful observations needing to be made, using inexpensive equipment. Discusses son's [Alexander] spectroscope observations of meteors.
11 August 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/161
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Did not realize [John] Hennessey was considering constructing an achromatic telescope. Thanks Edward Sabine for considering his son, Alexander, for the Melbourne post.
30 August 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/163
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Further recommendations regarding useful equipment and observations to be made in India [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1866-8-11]. Agrees that meteorological experiments there are desirable. Offers John Frederick William Herschel's son John's experience of India to Edward Sabine.
4 September 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/166
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Maintains that a first class refractor is not needed at Masouri in India [see Edward Sabine's 1866-9-4]. No special characteristics there justify the great expense of such a project.
5 December 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/179
Herschel returns Colonel Walkers letter to Sabine, and has looked over their correspondence regarding the establishment of a ‘great refractor’ at Masouri [Mussoorie]. Herschel maintains that a first class refractor is not needed in India, and argues there are no special characteristics there to justify the great expense of such a project.
5 December 1866 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/293
1867
Sir John Herschel publishes Familiar Lectures on Scientific Subjects
1867
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender, with enclosure. Sends copy of B.A.A.S. resolution regarding telescope in India. Edward Sabine and Royal Society [of London] colleagues agree to take no further steps in matter.
16 January 1867 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/285
Autograph letter signed by sender. Glad to have met John Frederick William Herschel's son [John]. Describes benefits of [Royal Society [of London]] meetings for cultivation of science.
14 April 1867 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/286
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to send an actinometer to Kew. It will be forwarded with other meteorological instruments to the Paris Exhibition.
2 April 1867? Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/312Apologising for not being able to attend a meeting at the Royal Society due to the long journey required. Herschel assures the Society that he will still be able to fulfill his role to them.
29 October 1867 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/8/100
1868
Benjamin Disraeli becomes Prime Minister
1 February 1868
William Gladstone becomes Prime Minister
1 December 1868
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wants information regarding undulatory theory of light controversy and the role of Lord [Henry ] Brougham for his obituary. Congratulates good performance of John Frederick William Herschel's son [John?] in India.
29 September 1868 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/287
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Discusses Lord [Henry ] Brougham and his optical papers. Thanks Edward Sabine for kind remarks regarding John Frederick William Herschel's son [John?]. Discusses polarization of corona.
1 October 1868 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/288
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses [William] Sharpey's view of John Frederick William Herschel's opinion of [Henry] Brougham's optical writings. Asks for John Frederick William Herschel's advice on presenting meteorological observations. On obse
8 October 1868 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/289
Draft letter. Discusses papers concerning light on [William] Sharpey's list. Discusses, very critically, Henry Brougham's optical researches.
11 October 1868 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/290
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to sign [C. P. B.] Walker's certificate for the Royal Society [of London]
12 December 1868 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/291
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for information regarding Henry Brougham [see Edward Sabine's 1868-9-29 and 1868-10-8]. Also for comment on polarization of aurora. Encloses Captain [John?] Hay's letter, but not pl
2 October 1868 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/314
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses Lord [Henry ] Brougham and his optical papers. Thanks Edward Sabine for kind remarks regarding John Frederick William Herschel's son [John?]. Discusses polarization of corona.
1 October 1868 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/230
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses papers concerning light on [William] Sharpey's list. Discusses, very critically, Henry Brougham's optical researches.
11 October 1868 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/232
1869
Jules Verne serializes Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
1869: (Vingt Mille Lieues sous les Mers)
1870
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends packet from [John] Hennessey to John Frederick William Herschel for his perusal. Discusses recent weather. Wants John Frederick William Herschel's opinion of self-recording meteorological instruments. Mentions wrec
12 September 1870 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/292
Letter in hand of amanuensis, signed by sender. Sends telegram from the Germania. Discusses crew of Hansa [see 15.292]. Asks if John Frederick William Herschel wants certain experiments done at Kew. Troubled by [W. A.] Miller's sudden illness.
17 September 1870 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/293
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends notice from [C. P. B.] Walker regarding pendulum experiments in India. Would welcome suggestions for new experiments in India.
29 September 1870 Sender: Edward Sabine Reference number: HS/15/294
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on the effect of great temperature variations on the speculum of a telescope.
28 April 1870 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/307
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Edward Sabine has been forwarded letter explaining why 'great telescope' at Melbourne will not work and suggesting construction corrections, on which John Frederick William Herschel, who believes such 'a priori condemnation' unjustified, comments herein.
28 April 1870 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/308Regarding the effect of fluctuating temperatures on the speculum surfaces at the Melbourne telescope. This is related to possible problems with the telescope, which Sabine has been informed about.
28 April 1870 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MC/9/63
On returning to Burlington House the papers relative to Colonel Napier's Pendulum Observations, in connection with the Trigonometrical Survey of India. Herschel comments that the observatrions are "...a most valuable contribution to the data accummulating for discussion on the figure and interior constitution of the Earth as concluded from the indications afforded to the varying intensity of gravitation".
3 October 1870 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MM/10/86
Refers to solar radiation and stations in India. Herschel approves of Sabine’s actinometric methods but wonders about absorbent power of alcoholic liquid. Laments 'sad conclusion' to career of 'Hansa,' and hopes her companion is more successful. Reference to meteorological observations and their publication.
14 September 1870 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: MS/257/2/296