Description | Family transcription of Sir John Herschel's original diary. The volume describes Herschel's scientific and social life, with meteorological and astronomical observations. The volume commences with Herschel discussing Alexander Herschel's education at Trinity College Cambridge and sending off packets of proofs for a new edition of his 'Outlines of Astronomy'. Herschel observes an eclipse, spoiled by cloud, on 15 March. Benjamin Brecknell Turner and a Mr Hartnell are noted taking photographs at Hawkhurst Pond on 20 April. His 'Physical Geography' manuscript is sent to the printers on 22 June. In the period July-September, Herschel experiments with photographic chemistry. He notes a Mr [Thomas?] Webster painting his portrait on 4 September. Herschel attends the British Association meeting in Leeds later in the month. On his return to Hawkhurst, Herschel observes Donati's Comet: 'Such a Comet. The head seems like a nearly globular puffy ball...There is a darkish division in the tail close behind the head...considerably convex towards the side of the comet's apparent progress.' Herschel travels to London, calling on Waterhouse at the British Museum and sees the fossil department and new reading room. He views the comet from Waterloo Bridge and again on 8 October: 'The Comet superb - The main Tail least curved'. Herschel accompanies his son John to Southampton as he embarks for India from 18 November.
With a note on the cover page '1858'. |