| RefNo | HSF/1/2/37 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/191 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from J F W [John Frederick William] Herschel, to Sir H [Henry] Holland |
| Creator | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); astronomer and mathematician |
| Date | 2 May 1865 |
| Description | He sends more of the Homer which he has lately been translating, from Book 13 to Book 17, and which he has nearly completed. They are not the best of 'The Iliad' since there is a sameness of imagination to them. There are repetitions which makes the reader tired of them. Book 13 is especially repetitive and he notes difficulties with Books 16 and 17, full of 'cribs' from former books. He misses the Homeric fire which will return in subsequent books, especially as Achilles returns to the stage. Lord Derby has performed his task well, but Herschel cannot help thinking that the great Homeric outbursts are a little deficient in spirit, noting the 'jog-trot narratives'. He thinks that Holland must be tired of Herschel's Homer by this time. |
| Extent | 3p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8238 | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); mathematician and astronomer | 1792 - 1871 |