| RefNo | HSF/2/1/66 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.49 and 32.8.49A |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, Mussoorie, to 'Dearest Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 17 August 1862 |
| Description | John is fine and has his father's letter of 26 June. He has the translation of 'The Iliad' which he had seen in the 'Cornhill Magazine', but was not sorry to read again. Little is happening there, with the rains keeping him confined indoors. The breaks get fewer as the rainy season nears an end, which will be in another fortnight. There will then be picnics until October followed by a flight of temporary visitors. He is staying at Dehra while [James Thomas] Walker and every available hand go down to the Madras coast to measure a base line. His own work includes writing a paper with a title something like 'The origin, growth and present condition of the numerical elements of the Great Trigonometrical Survey from its birth...', the information for which is scattered. The object is to have a book of reference, but also an at-a-glance summary of the actual and relative values of the work completed. This will enable a plan for proceeding. He will come across some curious things in searching the records and will relay them. They have been spending time on standards, comparing new bars with older ones, and little with larger. He has a letter from Willy at last [William James Herschel] in which he abuses himself for not writing and vows to come towards John. He notes 'What a thrashing the Northerners have had' [referring to the American Civil War]. |
| Extent | 6p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921); Colonel; military engineer, surveyor and astronomer | 1837 - 1921 |