| RefNo | HSF/1/2/13 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/23 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Wm Thos [William Thomas] Brande, Royal Mint, to Sir John [Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Brande; William Thomas (1788-1866); British chemist |
| Date | 29 September 1862 |
| Description | He was obliged by Herschel's remembrance of his old servant in sending the hexameter translation of Book 1 of 'The Iliad', accompanied by the dialogue 'On Atoms'. He was much pleased by Hermogenes correcting Hermione. As to the origin of the atomic theory in chemistry, Brande has always been surprised that the theory of [William] Higgins has been overlooked and the hypothesis of [John] Dalton extolled. He refers to a footnote on page 3 which he does not comprehend. Brande thinks that no translation of Homer can give one who does not read Greek a conception of Homer's merits and demerits. Herschel's is the first attempt to adhere to the original. Brande has only a superficial knowledge of Homer, and that limited to 'The Iliad', which Herschel's specimen brings back efficiently. It reminds him of Voss's German translation, although he falls into the error of close adherence to line by line and word for word. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA3249 | Brande; William Thomas (1788 - 1866) | 1788 - 1866 |