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Showing 107 letters from 1838–1865

45 letters from William Radcliffe Birt; 62 letters from John Frederick William Herschel

William Radcliffe Birt

Astronomer

Born: 1804

Died: 1881

View all items sent or received by William Radcliffe Birt
John Frederick William Herschel

Mathematician and astronomer

Born: 07 March 1792

Died: 11 May 1871

Elected to the Royal Society Fellowship: 27/05/1813

View all items sent or received by John Frederick William Herschel

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William Radcliffe Birt

John Frederick William Herschel

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.

Autograph letter signed by sender. Checked June observations of Mr. Robertson in Athenaeum. Found William Radcliffe Birt's statement correct [see William Radcliffe Birt's 1831-9-11]. Wrote to Meteorological Society for explanation. Thanks for pointing out difference in March observations. John Frederick William Herschel is honorary member of [Meteorological] Society.

Reference number: HS/19/75

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

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”

Autographed draft letter, signed or initialed by sender. How to reduce barometer observations and project them in curves. Royal Society [of London] will provide table by H. C. Schumacher for this purpose. How to obtain 'law of decimal oscillations' for each station. William Radcliffe Birt's name will be affixed to results. John Frederick William Herschel needs receipt for observations, which belong to South African Literary and Philosophical Society.

Reference number: HS/19/79

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. How to reduce barometer observations and project them in curves. Royal Society [of London] will provide table by H. C. Schumacher for this purpose. How to obtain 'law of decimal oscillations' for each station. William Radcliffe Birt's name will be affixed to results. John Frederick William Herschel needs receipt for observations, which belong to South African Literary and Philosophical Society.

Reference number: HS/19/80

Autograph letter signed by sender. L. A. J. Quetelet's observations follow centigrade thermometer and French meter. Latitude and longitude for five sites. Three sites are unknown to John Frederick William Herschel. Hopes William Radcliffe Birt completes [reduction of barometer observations] before B.A.A.S. meeting.

Reference number: HS/19/81

Autograph letter signed by sender. Advice on how to project barometric observations onto curves.

Reference number: HS/19/82

Autograph letter signed by sender. William Radcliffe Birt's tables [of barometer observations] are beautifully executed. Will submit them to B.A.A.S. Notes dissimilarity of British and Irish data.

Reference number: HS/19/84

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends barometer observations from Flushing series, Elias Loomis in U.S., and [J. S.] McCord in Montreal. Can William Radcliffe Birt prepare these before next B.A.A.S. meeting?

Reference number: HS/19/85

Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns William Radcliffe Birt's 'Curves,' which John Frederick William Herschel presented to B.A.A.S. Sends results of 1837-1838 [barometer] observations by Captain [Edward] Belcher along Pacific coast of North and Central America.

Reference number: HS/19/86

Autograph letter signed by sender. Must report progress of meteorological reductions to B.A.A.S. Send specimen of 'Curves' before first week in September. Gives latitudes and longitudes for North American stations.

Reference number: HS/19/165

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. Progress on barometer curves. Invites William Radcliffe Birt to send report, to be read at B.A.A.S. meeting in July.

Reference number: HS/19/88

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends missing barometer observations from Montreal, Flushing, and Albany. B.A.A.S meeting postponed.

Reference number: HS/19/89

Autograph letter signed by sender. Received William Radcliffe Birt's report on barometer observations. Admires perfect finish of work.

Reference number: HS/19/90

Autograph letter signed by sender. Fully examined William Radcliffe Birt's report [on barometer observations]. Agrees to combine British and Continental observations. Curves clearly show atmospheric processes. Likes William Radcliffe Birt's suggestion of tracing atmospheric wave beyond 24 hours; will propose this to B.A.A.S. Irregularity of Asiatic and South African data.

Reference number: HS/19/91

Autograph letter signed by sender. Cambridge barometer observations. Postponed William Radcliffe Birt's detailed report until 1842 B.A.A.S. meeting. This year John Frederick William Herschel will report generally on atmospheric curves and William Radcliffe Birt's notes. Hopes William Radcliffe Birt will attend to give explanations.

Reference number: HS/19/92

Autograph letter signed by sender. Heard of William Radcliffe Birt's bout with typhus. Interest in atmospheric waves should ensure publication of William Radcliffe Birt's article in Athenaeum. Will write editor on William Radcliffe Birt's behalf. Awaits completion of atmospheric curves for B.A.A.S. Congratulations on recently acquired office.

Reference number: HS/19/94

Autograph letter signed by sender. Explains 'discordances' as contraction of damp paper. Use 'Engraved Squares' to avoid this error. Possible error in barometer observations from Montreal. Diurnal 'undulation' appearing in data. American observations arrived, may fill 'missing intervals.' Keep record of expenses incurred. Postscript on color variation in stars.

Reference number: HS/19/166

Autograph letter signed by sender. Received William Radcliffe Birt's packet. Will send sheets tomorrow. Needs all 'Curves and data' before end of March for final report to B.A.A.S. John Frederick William Herschel's nerves 'shattered with night work.'

Reference number: HS/19/167

Autograph letter signed by sender. [William Radcliffe Birt's] sheets [of barometer observations] are well done. Sends European latitudes and longitudes. Will send 'Engraved Squares' soon. Notes errors in observations.

Reference number: HS/19/169

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. Received William Radcliffe Birt's atmospheric curves yesterday, but too late to report them [at 1842 B.A.A.S. meeting]. Final report will be presented at next [1843] meeting.

Reference number: HS/19/95

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reviews William Radcliffe Birt's assistance in John Frederick William Herschel's meteorological investigations as testimonial on behalf of William Radcliffe Birt's application for position of curator at Kew Observatory.

Reference number: HS/19/96

Autograph letter signed by sender. Must complete graphs of barometer curves before B.A.A.S. meeting. Did John Frederick William Herschel mistakenly include 1837 Bogota Almanac in barometer observations?

Reference number: HS/19/97

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends two dozen more papers on barometer graphs. Must have all papers on subject by January. Pleased with William Radcliffe Birt's lunar observations.

Reference number: HS/19/98

1843

Autographed letter, incomplete. Has forwarded a parcel to John Frederick William Herschel, but wonders if he has received it as he has had no reply.

Reference number: HS/4/101

Autograph letter signed by sender. Since he forwarded the parcel he has changed his address.

Reference number: HS/4/102

Autograph letter signed by sender. Could he loan him the Russian observations. Recent readings of the barometer.

Reference number: HS/4/103

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for letter and loan of the books. Regarding the movement of waves of the atmosphere.

Reference number: HS/4/104

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received Howard Elphinstone's observations. Has had an interview with Edward Sabine who has arranged for observations to be forwarded to William Radcliffe Birt. Would like John Frederick William Herschel's views on publication of some of these observations.

Reference number: HS/4/105

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reduction of barometer curves is nearly complete. Must have all papers within two weeks to prepare for B.A.A.S. meeting.

Reference number: HS/19/99

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. William Radcliffe Birt's packet arrived safely today.

Reference number: HS/19/100

Autograph letter signed by sender. Ask Edward Sabine for authority to insert additional notes [on barometric observations] into report already at printer's. Does not advise publishing observations. Asked Howard Elphinstone to send observations to William Radcliffe Birt.

Reference number: HS/19/101

Autograph letter signed by sender. Received copies of barometer observations. Searching for original data (lists stations) that John Frederick William Herschel sent to William Radcliffe Birt. Invites additions to John Frederick William Herschel's report. Please send account of expenses.

Reference number: HS/19/103

Autograph letter signed by sender. Yesterday's letter was mistakenly sent to William Radcliffe Birt's former address. Sends copy.

Reference number: HS/19/104

Rough draft version of the following item in Herschel's hand. John Frederick William Herschel's theory of barometric waves. Comparison with ocean tides. Notes the important of large waves. Compares to an advancing form and a molecular movement, with a two-fold motion of each particle, vertical and horizontal. Mentions invariable dynamical connexion. Birt's note of Brussels "wind-rose" or law of periodicity of winds at Brussels is worthy of attention.

Reference number: HS/19/105

Autograph draft letter signed by sender, with annotations by Sir John Herschel. John Frederick William Herschel's theory of barometric waves. Comparison with ocean tides. Non-trade winds follow laws of periodicity and are predictable, accounting for previously unexplained phenomena. Attributes rotating storms to interference of two or more wave trains. Will propose William Radcliffe Birt as director of new B.A.A.S. project to discover laws of weather behavior. Sends payment for William Radcliffe Birt's expenses. Never saw anything more beautiful than William Radcliffe Birt's 'Symmetrical Barometric Curve.' Annotation in Herschel's hand: "n.b. All this mass of writing was in vain"; "Substance communicated to Mr Birt personally July 30 43".

Reference number: HS/19/106

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has check for William Radcliffe Birt's expenses.

Reference number: HS/19/107

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends check. Asks for latitude and longitude of four American observation stations.

Reference number: HS/19/108

Autograph letter signed by sender. B.A.A.S. approved William Radcliffe Birt's employment by Magnetical and Meteorological Committee to explore atmospheric waves. Will send Russian observations tomorrow. Howard Elphinstone agrees to send his observations [at Ore, near Hastings]. Lists meteorology books.

Reference number: HS/19/109

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends Howard Elphinstone's barometer observations [at Ore, near Hastings].

Reference number: HS/19/110

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Received copies of barometer observations. Searching for original data (lists stations) that John Frederick William Herschel sent to William Radcliffe Birt. Invites additions to John Frederick William Herschel's report. Please send account of expenses.

Reference number: HS/22/164

Copy of extracts from draft 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 theory of barometric waves. Comparison with ocean tides. Notes the important of large waves. Compares to an advancing form and a molecular movement, with a two-fold motion of each particle, vertical and horizontal. Mentions invariable dynamical connexion. Birt's note of Brussels "wind-rose" or law of periodicity of winds at Brussels is worthy of attention. Rough draft of following item.

Reference number: HS/22/165

Copy of clean draft 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 theory of barometric waves. Comparison with ocean tides. Non-trade winds follow laws of periodicity and are predictable, accounting for previously unexplained phenomena. Attributes rotating storms to interference of two or more wave trains. Will propose William Radcliffe Birt as director of new B.A.A.S. project to discover laws of weather behavior. Sends payment for William Radcliffe Birt's expenses. Never saw anything more beautiful than William Radcliffe Birt's 'Symmetrical Barometric Curve.' Notes that the letter was not sent but the matter communicated in person.

Reference number: HS/22/166

1844

Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart

1844

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for publishing his curves. Is proceeding with his reductions. G. B. Airy has forwarded the Greenwich observations. Would he obtain Howard Elphinstone's observations for him.

Reference number: HS/4/106

Autograph letter signed by sender. Can sympathize with John Frederick William Herschel as he has just lost a close relation. Has been unable to contact Edward Sabine. The Dublin and Munich curves have been engraved. Thanks for the Annalen. Howard Elphinstone has sent his [?].

Reference number: HS/4/107

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is concerned to hear that L. A. J. Quetelet's system of observations is in danger of being broken up. Requires funds from the B.A.A.S. to publish his observations. Meteorological Society not likely to support his aims. Will consult Edward Sabine.

Reference number: HS/4/108

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has just examined the area between Dublin, Paris, and Heligoland for waves. Self registering barometers would be useful.

Reference number: HS/4/109

Autographed draft letter. Delighted by Prince Albert's benefaction to [William Radcliffe Birt]. Curious results by [Robert Hunt] may lead to 'chemical discoveries of a new order.' Gratified by attention given John Frederick William Herschel's testimonial for Hunt.

Reference number: HS/19/112

Autograph letter signed by sender. Parcel arrived safely. Will examine it with interest.

Reference number: HS/19/113

Autograph letter signed by sender. William Radcliffe Birt's wave models show that barometer observations will reveal atmospheric dynamics like astronomical observations revealed planetary orbits. Encourages William Radcliffe Birt to seek simple method of temperature corrections applicable to all barometers. Offers possible mechanism. Send results to B.A.A.S quickly. Will send William Radcliffe Birt's letter to [Magnetical and Meteorological] Committee.

Reference number: HS/19/114

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sent William Radcliffe Birt's paper and models to [B.A.A.S. meeting in] York, to be included in report of [Magnetical and] Meteorological Committee.

Reference number: HS/19/115

Autograph letter signed by sender. Omitted important detail yesterday in John Frederick William Herschel's description of self-compensating barometer. Columns must be variable, not constant.

Reference number: HS/19/168

1845

Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association

1845

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the communication and the proof, and returned the latter to the printer. Found a section had been omitted but cannot trace the manuscript at present.

Reference number: HS/4/110

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the missing manuscript and models from York, yesterday.

Reference number: HS/4/111

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding recent barometric readings and atmospheric waves.

Reference number: HS/4/112

Autograph letter signed by sender. The great atmospheric wave has returned; observations on this.

Reference number: HS/4/113

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sorry to hear of his indisposition. Regarding movements connected with the sun.

Reference number: HS/4/114

Autograph letter signed by sender. B.A.A.S. meets 18 June at Cambridge. Send contributions to report of Magnetical and Meteorological Committee to John Frederick William Herschel by 13 June.

Reference number: HS/19/118

Autograph letter signed by sender. Forwarded William Radcliffe Birt's report to B.A.A.S. at Cambridge. Sends payment for expenses. Two German meteorologists will be at B.A.A.S. meeting.

Reference number: HS/19/119

Autograph letter signed by sender. Perhaps periodic surges in atmospheric waves noticed by William Radcliffe Birt will repeat. Speaks of 'new climate' for globe. Hopes William Radcliffe Birt can attend [B.A.A.S.] meeting at Southampton.

Reference number: HS/19/120

Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel suffering chest pains. Delighted that William Radcliffe Birt again observed 'great symmetrical wave.' Sun's effect on atmosphere is like the wake of 'Leviathan going round and round in a confined ... harbour.'

Reference number: HS/19/121

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

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.