| RefNo | HSF/2/1/80 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.65 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J H [John Herschel], 12 Wellington Square, Hastings, to 'Dear Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 28 September 1867 |
| Description | He sends a letter to be forwarded to Mr [William] Huggins [not present], showing that John is alive to the necessity of begging for assistance. He is doing what he can to gather information, not to read now, but to provide himself with specialist literature to study when it will be useful. He needs to give this his undivided attention and as things will fade in his memory, devoting study time to spectrolysis now is useless. He feels justified in appealing to those who might be considered his employers beyond mere instrumental appliances, and so far, the help he has been given has been through the personal kindness of Huggins. Huggins assures him that full instructions will be drawn up, but meanwhile, time is passing. The responsibility of employing the short time of the eclipse is exceptional and he does not want to face it unprepared and unencouraged. He gathers from Huggins that the whole responsibility will lie with him. Part of the observations will be on the nature and degree of polarization of every part of the Sun's entourage and therefore he must be acquainted with the theory and its practical manifestation. He does not know how he can acquire enough knowledge to instruct an assistant without direction. His object in seeking [George Biddell] Airy's 'Tides' was to sent it to Colonel [James Thomas] Walker, who had asked for it. He notes articles in the Philosophical Magazine. John's expectations for Mary's health [Mary Cornwallis Herschel] have not been fulfilled. He intends to come to Collingwood in the next week. |
| Extent | 5p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921) | 1837 - 1921 |