| RefNo | HSF/1/2/24 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/28 and 600/31/28A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Draft letter from J F W H [John Frederick William Herschel], Collingwood, to Miss [Elizabeth] Colling |
| Creator | Herschel; Sir John Frederick William; first baronet (1792-1871); British mathematician and astronomer |
| Date | 10 December 1864 |
| Description | He has read with much pleasure the hexameter specimens of Lord Derby's translation [of 'The Iliad'] but he shall not read any more, or the works by [Joseph Henry] Dart and [James Inglis] Cochrane. His own translation is done. The only fault he finds in Lord Derby's is that it is not in hexameters. Pope's version is a new poem and he quite agrees with Colling that if only poetry was required, it is there. Herschel is about half way through Book 13 and he is satisfied with the first twelve books. He is deciding on whether to publish as an instalment, since he is a septuagenarian, but as yet he finds the exercise a great relief in filling up sleepless hours in the early dawn. If it does begin to be a labour, he will take it as a warning to desist. In a deleted section, Herschel asks if Colling would like to see later books. With an additional note headed 'Miss Colling Dec 10 64'. |
| Extent | 6p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8238 | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); astronomer | 1792 - 1871 |