| 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. The diary commences with musicians visiting Collingwood House, 'singers male & female - the latter a fresh innovation'. Herschel sends telegrams to his son Lieutenant John Herschel, then on the Grand Trigonometrical Survey of India, advising him on reductions, 3-6 January. He referees a paper by [John Baboneau Nickterlian] Hennessy for the Royal Society 12-14 January, sending the results to [George Gabriel] Stokes. By the end of January Herschel finishes translating book 15 of the Iliad, sending this to William Whewell. Herschel records taking laudanum from 28 January. He writes to [Charles] Lyell and to [James] Croll on astronomical causes of geological phenomena on 6 February and notes his son Alexander Herschel lecturing on meteors on 11 February. 'The abominable Babbage & South business up again - Dispatched my second letter...' By 20 February, Herschel is copying an 'Eastern Pyramids' drawing for Sir Charles Lyell and enters his register of last summer's chemical expertiments on platina on 24 February. In the period 1-4 March he referees [Warren] De La Rue's paper on solar physics for the Royal Society, sends a box of minerals to Charles Lyell and advises [William Henry?] Barton on assaying. He writes to Sir David Brewster on polyzomal lighthouses on 9 March. In early April he commences experiments on photoplatinates. On 28 April, 'Sent to Sir Frederick Ouseley the Packet marked K of my Father's musical works, being his sketch of a proposed Treatise on music...' He hears of Robert Fitzroy's death on 1 May and the death of John William Lubbock on 20 June. Herschel notices the return of his hearing from 6 May - 'perfectly restored', by 13 May. From July Herschel is again observing sunspots. He executes a will in London on 1 August and travels to see the old family home 'Herschel House' at Slough on 4 August. From there, a tour takes in Windsor, Donnington Castle and on to Salisbury, where he is impressed by Wilton Hall. Herschel views Stonehenge and Amesbury, returning to London on 14 August. He leaves a catalogue of nebulae at Somerset House for Mr Fletcher. Throughout the year he has translated books of the Iliad and on 8 November Herschel declares 'Finished my hexameter translation'. Social events and visitors take up the remainder of the period.
With a note on the first page '1865.' |