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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Correspondence Explorer

Choose two people to view all letters between them.

Showing 71 letters from 1851–1870

33 letters from John Tyndall; 38 letters from John Frederick William Herschel

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Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition

1851

Autograph letter signed by sender. Letter in application for Professorship of Experimental Philosophy and Chemistry at University College, Sydney.

Reference number: HS/17/381

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends memoirs on magnetism of crystalline bodies. Notes that remarks on atomic mechanism of Iceland spar contrast with John Frederick William Herschel's views expressed in John Frederick William Herschel's Light.

Reference number: HS/17/382
1852

Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to keep memoirs John Tyndall sent with regard to John Tyndall's application for position at University of Sydney.

Reference number: HS/17/383
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

Copy of a letter. Thanks for papers on diamagnetism and lecture on 'slaty cleavage.' Compares with phenomenon of 'ringing coins' in mint. Explains with examples conformity of John Tyndall's views with John Frederick William Herschel's own on geological stratification. Praises simplicity yet completeness of John Tyndall's work.

Reference number: HS/17/383a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Agrees with and asks permission to publish John Frederick William Herschel's letter in the Philosophical Magazine. Is going to Switzerland and Tyrol, where hopes to see phenomenon of glacial descent [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1856-7-31].

Reference number: HS/17/384

Copy of a letter, with diagrams. Clarifies letter on motion and structure modification of glaciers. John Frederick William Herschel thinks glacier ice unfavorable for exhibiting John Tyndall's phenomenon [see John Tyndall's 1856-7-30].

Reference number: HS/23/175

Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for papers on diamagnetism and lecture on 'slaty cleavage.' Compares with phenomenon of 'ringing coins' in mint. Explains with examples conformity of John Tyndall's views with John Frederick William Herschel's own on geological stratification. Praises simplicity yet completeness of John Tyndall's work.

Reference number: HS/23/176
1857

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends sketch of lecture on structure and motion of glaciers. Wants to conduct experiments on physical properties of ice, and applying polarized light. Beyond paper, is interested in cleavage of ice.

Reference number: HS/17/385

Copy of a letter. Thanks for lecture on glacier cleavage. Wonders how 'regelation' occurs when two masses of ice at 32° are placed in contact.

Reference number: HS/17/386

Autograph letter signed by sender. Remarks on physical properties of ice and their bearing on glacial phenomena. Asks for help inventing term for idea of 'fracture and renewal' of glacial bendings.

Reference number: HS/17/387
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.

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

Autograph letter signed by sender. Apologizes for not having seen John Frederick William Herschel's paper on spectra of colored flames and thus having overlooked John Frederick William Herschel's prior claims [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1861-7-21]. Will try to make amends.

Reference number: HS/17/388

Autograph letter signed by sender. Gives account of observations on lunar radiation, including detailed description of experiments.

Reference number: HS/17/389

Autograph letter signed by sender. Clarifies that John Tyndall does not believe moon radiates cold itself, but effects are 'as if' it did. Relates this to atmosphere.

Reference number: HS/17/390

Copy of a letter. Thanks for and comments on paper and lectures on 'diathermancy etc.' of gases, scientific teaching, and solar chemistry. Regrets that John Tyndall mentioned all names connected with light research except John Frederick William Herschel's

Reference number: HS/23/335

Copy of a letter. Reply to John Tyndall's 'Remarks on Radiation and Absorption.' Calls non-absorption of air and vapor key to understanding meteorological phenomena. Remarks on 'radiant heat' from moon.

Reference number: HS/23/347

Copy of a letter, with diagrams. Does not believe surface of moon can radiate cold; perhaps new moon can. Explains this geometrically.

Reference number: HS/23/348

Copy of a letter. Finds John Tyndall's work on thermotics 'highly interesting,' although criticizes measurements of 'tenuity' of vapor, and explanation of scattering of sunlight and formation of corona around moon during eclipse.

Reference number: HS/23/350
1862

Contemporary copy of the letter. Remarks on John Tyndall's papers on radiant heat and related role of moisture. Will send requested sample of rock salt. Explains difficulties using it and hopes John Tyndall will have better success, perhaps even repeating John Frederick William Herschel's experiments.

Reference number: HS/17/390a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Finds John Frederick William Herschel's approval incredibly gratifying. Thanks for gift of rock salt. Is sending unscientific book; trusts John Frederick William Herschel's interests are broad enough to appreciate it.

Reference number: HS/17/391

Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Remarks on John Tyndall's papers on radiant heat and related role of moisture. Will send requested sample of rock salt. Explains difficulties using it and hopes John Tyndall will have better success, perhaps even repeating John Frederick William Herschel's experiments.

Reference number: HS/23/367
1863

Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks permission to print extract of John Frederick William Herschel's letter on heat spots of spectrum of rock salt sample. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander] will speak at Royal Institution; John Tyndall would help with illustration. Wonders how blue color of water relates to sky color and polarization.

Reference number: HS/17/392

Contemporary copy of the letter. Likes John Tyndall's explanation of sky's blue color. Has difficulty with John Tyndall's explanation of polarization of skylight. Comments on absorptive powers of vapor and liquid.

Reference number: HS/17/392a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Remarks on upcoming lecture of John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander], and on glacial movement.

Reference number: HS/17/393

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for a gift.

Reference number: HS/17/411

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Likes John Tyndall's explanation of sky's blue color. Has difficulty with John Tyndall's explanation of polarization of skylight. Comments on absorptive powers of vapor and liquid.

Reference number: HS/24/4

Copy of a letter. Thanks for lectures on heat motion theory and radiation through earth's atmosphere, and for brochure on 'conformation' of the Alps. Asks about upcoming lecture of John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander].

Reference number: HS/24/14
1864

Copy of a letter, with diagrams. Thanks for and comments on papers on scientific history and molecular physics, particularly on a magnetic experiment and on dynamical efficiency of coal relative to motion theory of light and heat. Comments on nature of heat, 'vis viva.' Deplores laxity with which physicists use and confuse terms 'force,' 'motion,' and 'energy.'

Reference number: HS/17/393a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets 'stupidity' of Italian post office, which lost note sent to John Frederick William Herschel suggesting reprinting of passage from Treatise Astr. of 1833 on operations of sun in second edition of John Tyndall's book. Also wants to publish John Tyndall's 'extremely philosophical views' on muscle contraction.

Reference number: HS/17/394

Draft in John Herschel's hand. Thanks for and comments on paper on luminous and obscure radiation, particularly on extra spectral rays, incandescence of platinum, and experiment using transcalescence of iodine.

Reference number: HS/17/394a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is not 'at liberty' to speak of experiments on change of refrangibility of 'extra-red' rays. Discusses other experiments on extra-red regions, having used various prisms but not obtaining John Frederick William Herschel's results.

Reference number: HS/17/395

Contemporary copy of a letter. Surprised that John Tyndall cannot obtain heat spots [see John Tyndall's 1864-11-14]. Describes glasses and lenses used.

Reference number: HS/17/396

Autograph letter signed by sender. John Tyndall does not have 'luxury' of using sunshine; uses electric light. Perhaps this adds to inability to obtain heat spots [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1864-11-16].

Reference number: HS/17/397

Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to be a shareholder in venture to publish new weekly scientific journal.

Reference number: HS/17/398

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Wishes luck but expresses inability to help with new science journal [see John Tyndall's 1864-11-18].

Reference number: HS/17/398a

Copy of a letter, with diagrams. Thanks for and comments on papers on scientific history and molecular physics, particularly on a magnetic experiment and on dynamical efficiency of coal relative to motion theory of light and heat. Comments on nature of heat, 'vis viva.' Deplores laxity with which physicists use and confuse terms 'force,' 'motion,' and 'energy.'

Reference number: HS/24/48

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for and comments on paper on luminous and obscure radiation, particularly on extra spectral rays, incandescence of platinum, and experiment using transcalescence of iodine.

Reference number: HS/24/66

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Surprised that John Tyndall cannot obtain heat spots [see John Tyndall's 1864-11-14]. Describes glasses and lenses used.

Reference number: HS/24/68

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Wishes luck but expresses inability to help with new science journal [see John Tyndall's 1864-11-18].

Reference number: HS/24/69
1865

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends copy of John Tyndall's '3rd Memoir,' along with specimens of liquid mercury ethyl and mercury methyl from discoverers Edward Frankland and B. F. Duppa.

Reference number: HS/17/399
1866

Sir John Herschel publishes his translation of Homer’s Iliad

1866

Autograph letter signed by sender?. Describes experiment involving viewing spectrum of a light flash as it advances and recedes. [Marked 'not sent on further consideration.']

Reference number: HS/17/399a

Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotation by Sir John Herschel. Corrects misinformation about refraction and dispersion of mercury ethyl and mercury methyl.

Reference number: HS/17/399b

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on excellence of the lecture at the Royal Institution of John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander].

Reference number: HS/17/400

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Describes experiment involving viewing spectrum of a light flash as it advances and recedes. [Marked 'not sent on further consideration.']

Reference number: HS/24/144

Copy of a letter. Thanks for note [see John Tyndall's 1866-5-26] on improvement of the lecturing style of John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander]. John Frederick William Herschel's son has studied lecture's subject deeply and loves science; John Frederick William Herschel hopes will be physics professor at a 'considerable institution.'

Reference number: HS/24/157
1867

Sir John Herschel publishes Familiar Lectures on Scientific Subjects

1867

Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotation by Sir John Herschel. Asks whether Michael Faraday's work with glass resulted in improved manufacturing or if rather its main scientific value was in discovery of diamagnetism.

Reference number: HS/17/401

Copy of a letter. Believes Michael Faraday's boro-silicate of lead has not been used for telescopes, but John Frederick William Herschel and others have tried using it for other optical purposes. Describes method for producing veinless flint glass.

Reference number: HS/24/210
1868

Benjamin Disraeli becomes Prime Minister

1 February 1868

William Gladstone becomes Prime Minister

1 December 1868

Autograph letter signed by sender. John Tyndall has suggested that John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander] be appointed to position in Royal School of Mines, but colleagues, unwisely, John Tyndall thinks, want someone more well-known.

Reference number: HS/17/402

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is studying vesicles. John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander] may yet get Royal School of Mines appointment.

Reference number: HS/17/403

Autograph letter signed by sender. Observations on subjecting carbonic acid to concentrated beam of an electric lamp. Records experimental result so far. Interested in ordinary dust particles under electric light.

Reference number: HS/17/404

Autograph letter signed by sender. Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see John Tyndall's 1868-11-30], hoping to 'explode' idea that atmosphere's polarization is due to reflection by air particles.

Reference number: HS/17/405

Contemporary copy of the letter. Thinks John Tyndall's work on polarization will lead to remarkable discovery. Discusses production of rainbow, parallels to Isaac Newton's explanation of black spot on a soap bubble, and problems in John Tyndall's undulatory theory explanation of reflection. In John Tyndall's experiments, what are nebulous particles produced by light in gas or vapor?

Reference number: HS/17/405a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see John Tyndall's 1868-11-30], suggesting possible cause of blue cloud color and eventual whitening of light.

Reference number: HS/17/412

Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to review paper on blue color of sky, polarization of skylight, and polarization of light by cloudy matter.

Reference number: HS/17/413

Autographed draft letter written on the back of various notes, letters and order forms. John Tyndall's paper on polarization of sky light suggests that neutral points are functions of cloud density. This verifies John Frederick William Herschel's earlier explanation of blue sky color. Incomplete polarization. Cause of blue color in water. Corrects note on W. A. Miller's observations of rainbows.

Reference number: HS/19/160

Copy of a letter. Thanks for paper on action of solar and electric light on vapors, which should give John Tyndall further insight into blue color of sky and polarization of skylight. Comments on the latter. John Frederick William Herschel's son [Alexander] is working hard at Glasgow.

Reference number: HS/24/241

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thinks John Tyndall's work on polarization will lead to remarkable discovery. Discusses production of rainbow, parallels to Isaac Newton's explanation of black spot on a soap bubble, and problems in John Tyndall's undulatory theory explanation of reflection. In John Tyndall's experiments, what are nebulous particles produced by light in gas or vapor?

Reference number: HS/24/242

Copy of a letter. Thanks for paper verifying John Frederick William Herschel's prediction that explanation of blue sky color carries with it that of polarization of skylight. Involves ultimate link between chemical and analytical dynamics. Notes that 'neutral points' in sky polarization have yet to be explained; offers tentative explanation based on clues in John Tyndall's work.

Reference number: HS/24/243
1869

Jules Verne serializes Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea

1869: (Vingt Mille Lieues sous les Mers)

Contemporary copy of the letter. Thanks for paper on comets. Offers questions, problems to be resolved, particularly on termination of comet.

Reference number: HS/17/406

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for John Frederick William Herschel's suggestions on John Tyndall's outline of comet speculations. [G. B.] Airy, too, has replied. Includes more speculations on 'envelopes' and nucleus of comet.

Reference number: HS/17/406a

Contemporary copy of the letter, with diagrams. Suggests experiments with regard to polarization and vaporization, and comets' tails.

Reference number: HS/17/407

Autograph letter signed by sender. In response to John Frederick William Herschel's comments on John Tyndall's explanation of comets says faintness of head and nucleus does not indicate non-existence; eye may not see all. Experiments with polarized light produce 'gorgeous' 'residual blue.'

Reference number: HS/17/407a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is delighted with John Frederick William Herschel's exposition of colors of thin plates and of measurements of a wave of light in Familiar Lectures. Asks permission to quote from it.

Reference number: HS/17/408

Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses reference to one of John Frederick William Herschel's letters to John Tyndall that has already been printed.

Reference number: HS/17/414

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for paper on comets. Offers questions, problems to be resolved, particularly on termination of comet.

Reference number: HS/24/260

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. 'Great Comet of 1843' presents difficulties for John Tyndall's explanation of comets' tails [continuation of John Frederick William Herschel's 1869-5-28].

Reference number: HS/24/263

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Suggests experiments with regard to polarization and vaporization, and comets' tails.

Reference number: HS/24/264
1870

Autograph letter signed by sender. Gratified by John Frederick William Herschel's 'sympathy and approbation,' and that John Frederick William Herschel's writing and spirit remain 'firm' and 'fresh.'

Reference number: HS/17/409

Draft in John Herschel's hand. Thanks for paper on action of rays 'of high refrangibility' on gases and vapors. Attempts to understand reflection of wave motion on particles with diameters 'incomparably smaller' than length of wave.

Reference number: HS/17/409a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for suggestion-filled letter. Remarks on blue color of water.

Reference number: HS/17/410

Copy of a letter. Thanks for work on diamagnetism and magne-crystallic action [Researches on Diamagnetism (1870)], which John Frederick William Herschel is excited to read. Mentions long-abandoned plans for magnetization experiments. Envies those who can see John Tyndall's 'magic' experiments at Royal Institution.

Reference number: HS/24/317

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for paper on action of rays 'of high refrangibility' on gases and vapors. Attempts to understand reflection of wave motion on particles with diameters 'incomparably smaller' than length of wave.

Reference number: HS/24/336