Record

RefNoHSF/1/2/37
Previous numbers600/31/191
LevelItem
TitleCopy letter from J F W [John Frederick William] Herschel, to Sir H [Henry] Holland
CreatorHerschel; Sir John Frederick William; first baronet (1792-1871); British mathematician and astronomer
Date2 May 1865
DescriptionHe 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.
Extent3p.
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA8238Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); astronomer1792 - 1871
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