Has seen Leslie Melville who can be relied on to give John [JH's son] the Addiscombe appointment.
Has seen Leslie Melville who can be relied on to give John [JH's son] the Addiscombe appointment.
Sends observations made with the nine-foot equatorial, with comments. Received JH's Astronomy and the Logs. of Charles Babbage; the latter aroused protests in the family. [Archibald] Robertson sold five copies of the Astronomy instantly and has ordered further copies.
Has had some splendid evenings, and sends the observations made. Comments on the work of the new equatorial. W. R. Dawes would like to compare the measures of Antares with the enclosed. Admiral Reynolds is being succeeded by Commodore Christopher Wyvill, a queer person. Sends Cape newspapers to show events in the convict question. All public servants are to be deprived of food, etc.
Suggests some means of improving a paper submitted by JH; more on standard measures of length [see RS's 1849-3-4], and other R.A.S. business.
Informing JH that they have been appointed members of a committee for proving a three foot reflector for the Cape Town Observatory.
Encloses letters from Thomas Maclear and returns one of JH's.
Encloses more letters from Thomas Maclear. Admiration for Maclear's energy. Cape Town is in a state of semi-rebellion.
Cast of the late Francis Baily is ready, also the one of JH. These will be forwarded as arranged.
Has written letter of introduction to J. H. Cust (Viscount Alford) and sent it to [Robert?] Grahame. The Association has voted £250 for Kew Observatory. Had interesting session on nebulae from William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse). Meeting has been successful in all respects except the pecuniary one.
Regarding their various points of view on a certain question.
Hopes his paper on L. A. J. Quetelet will be ready for the Easter number. Richard Jones has returned from Switzerland, and dined with Quetelet in Brussels. Has been suffering himself with congestion of the brain and consequently unable to write.