| RefNo | HSF/1/1/21 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/54; 600/31/54A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from W [William] Whewell, to [Sir John Frederick William] Herschel |
| Creator | Whewell; William (1794-1866); British mathematician |
| Date | no date [1865?] |
| Description | He gives remarks on Herschel's translation of Book 14 of 'The Iliad', not of much importance, apart from Calydon, which he supposes is an oversight, and the description of the Cestus. On publishing, if there is any chance of Herschel being tired out before the end, Whewell would like to have what Herschel has already done put in permanent form. He would not publish yet, until the attention on Lord Derby's version has abated. He is aware of a prejudice against hexameters, worsened by Lord Derby's 'ignorant and insolent expressions in his preface'. But it is so ignorant that it cannot endure long, and his reviewer was as ignorant as Derby. Whewell notes progress on other translations by [James Inglis] Cochrane and [Joseph Henry] Dart. Whewell reviewed Dart's first twelve books, although he had forgotten having done so, and Dart informs him that he hopes to bring out all twenty four books by the end of the year. Whewell states that Herschel's translation is superior to all others but he notes one point that cannot be remedied in line for line translation as the Greek is longer, which makes the translation less exact. He hopes that Herschel will continue. Whewell is glad that William [Herschel] has got the employment he wanted in India, and enquires after Herschel's bronchitis. With line by line comments on 'The Iliad', Book 14, as translated by Herschel. |
| Extent | 8p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6578 | Whewell; William (1794 - 1866); college head and writer on the history and philosophy of science | 1794 - 1866 |