| Description | Family transcription of Sir John Herschel's original diary. The volume describes Herschel's scientific and social life, with meteorological and a few astronomical observations. Brief entries overall, noting visitors and engagements. By the latter half of the year, Herschel notes rainfall measurements and little else. On 23 July he calls on Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution 'in re ASH' [his son, Alexander Stewart Herschel]. On 18 August he receives the Chinese translation of his 'Outlines of Astronomy'. The volume concludes with a summary list of rain and snowfall from 10am on 17 August to 12 noon, 1 January [1861].
With a note on the cover page: '1859 (de est) 1860. in a small size yellow 'Pawsey' diary kept in same drawer. see 1862. Aug 21. Lost the day looking in vain for mema. or journals of 1859, 60 & 61.' |