Invites WW and [Thomas] Leybourn to join JH for dinner while Charles Babbage is visiting JH at Slough.
Invites WW and [Thomas] Leybourn to join JH for dinner while Charles Babbage is visiting JH at Slough.
Accepts invitation to visit Slough and meet Charles Babbage. [Thomas] Leybourn may accompany WW. Seeking area of conic sections.
Asks JH to be trustee of SW's and her husband's will.
Reports problem publishing JW's music. Relates adventures of churchmen and students at Cambridge.
Please arrange for JH to join DW, Dr. [Thomas?] Chalmers, and possibly Captain Carnigh for dinner. Chalmers wanted to visit William Herschel in Windsor but cannot, and would at least like to meet JH before going to meet [William?] Wilberforce.
Discusses plans for an edition of the mathematical writings of the late William Spence, to be edited by JH.
Discusses editorial actions taken by JH in editing mathematical manuscripts of William Spence, including materials recently sent to JH by JG.
Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in JH's area.
Discusses university politics. Misses JH. Impressed by [Edward] Bromhead's mathematical abilities. Is considering translating a book by S. F. Lacroix. George Peacock's Tripos examination questions have caused controversy. Believes Peacock should have stressed applied over pure mathematics.
Asks about WW's mathematical investigations. JH's book on algebra is progressing. Describes mathematical investigations by [Edward] Bromhead in calculus of factors. Misses Cambridge.
Is pursuing mathematical investigations with Charles Babbage. Asks WW to check whether George Peacock is progressing in printing the Supplement to Lacroix's volume.
Has passed JH's communication to Mrs. [William] Spence, who desires that publication may proceed as quickly as possible. Would he decide on a publisher. Will write biographical details himself. Would JH give him details of title page and contents.
Has received JH's letter to which he will reply fully later. Sends some more manuscripts he has received from Mrs. [William] Spence. Also encloses a copy of the unfinished essay of which only 80 copies have been printed.
Has sent JH's continuation of William Spence's 'Outlines' to press without any alteration. Gives the scheme adopted for the makeup of the volume. Hopes JH agrees; if not write at once as he is leaving London for some time.
Book will be arranged according to JH's wishes. Underwoods are to be the publishers. Is pleased JH has found signs of greatness in William Spence's works. Hopes JH will show this in his biographical introduction.
Much philosophizing about life, work, and happiness.
The state of the country and friends, and please push JG's book.
About JG's book on population and a pamphlet on the usury laws [letter completed 1817-2-26].
Discusses at some length the strengths and weaknesses of Lucan's Pharsalia. Mentions JG's pamphlet on usury laws, suggesting that the argument from analogy is especially precarious in political economy.
On JG's ignorance of mathematics.