| RefNo | HSF/2/1/109 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.95 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Yercaud, Shevaroy [Servarayan] Hills, North of Salem, to 'Dear Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 17 October 1870 |
| Description | The certificate [of Royal Society candidature] has been received and forwarded and he hopes to be able to return it before 'his wanderings'. Colonel [Alexander] Strange's warning against disappointment was well meant and taken in that spirit. John's work for the season will take him to four locations in each of which he intends to have several stations of observation. All will be on India's central meridian and he gives positions. Colonel [James Thomas] Walker does not positively approve of John's proposal to increase the number of local determinations, but he has left the matter in John's hands as he departs for England. John notes the variability of local attraction, including in India, and he discusses accuracy of observations and probable errors at length. He asks for his father's thoughts on the matter and considers the economic cost of not having a distributive arrangement such as the one he proposes. |
| Extent | 6p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921); Colonel; military engineer, surveyor and astronomer | 1837 - 1921 |