Copy diary of John Frederick William Herschel, transcribed by Louisa Gordon Family transcription of Sir John Herschel's original diary. The volume describes Herschel's scientific and social life, largely in London, where he had a town residence in Harley Street. The year is taken up with business of the Royal Mint, commencing with arrangements for [William] Wyon and including the making of the Waterloo Medal dies for Benedetto Pistrucci. On 5 January Herschel comments that 'Babbage called & bored me to death with his loose generalities & possible explanations of imaginary difficulties'. Herschel dines with with Lord Russell on 16 January, the guests include Thomas Babington Macaulay and Charles Dickens. On 20 February he dines with Mrs [Julia Margaret] Cameron, the guests including 'Mr Watts [George Frederic Watts] a young artist in the Portrait line (to whom it seems I am to be victimised)'. On 25 March 'Met Tennyson (The Poet)'. Herschel attends Michael Faraday's lectures at the Royal Institution. On 19 September he sees a demonstration of Messrs Phillips' fire extinguishing apparatus at Battersea. With a note on the cover page '1851'. 1 January-23 December 1851 [1909-1910]