JH and son William arrived safely. H. C. Schumacher is out of town but JH will visit Altona anyway. Son William's reactions to travel. JH tried unsuccessfully to understand Immanuel Kant and J. G. Fichte during voyage.
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JH and son William arrived safely. H. C. Schumacher is out of town but JH will visit Altona anyway. Son William's reactions to travel. JH tried unsuccessfully to understand Immanuel Kant and J. G. Fichte during voyage.
Fatiguing trip from Hamburg. Mr. Groskopff is 'preparing' aunt Caroline for arrival of JH and son William. Comments on German philosophers whom JH is reading on trip. Visit with Caroline Herschel. Miss Beckedorff is out of town. Architecture and language of Hanover. Groskopffs named their country home 'Slough' near Hameln.
JH and son William made surprise visit to aunt Caroline Herschel. Mrs. Beckedorff is recovering from long illness. All Detmering family, who resided at Cumberland Lodge, are dead except Mrs. Detmering. Dr. Groskopff reports that Caroline, age 89, can still 'put her foot behind her back and scratch her ear in imitation of a dog.'
Hot temperatures killed all fish in rivers and moats of Hanover. JH's and son William's journey from Hanover through Ammensen to Göttingen. Describes outdated architecture, poor agricultural practices, and sad plight of peasant women. Attended church in Göttingen then visited C. F. Gauss at observatory. J. F. Blumenbach was too ill to receive JH and Gauss.
Received three letters from MH. Hopes 'awful visitation' left no permanent effect on MH. JH is not impressed by German philosophers. Journey to Hameln to meet JH's cousins Mrs. Groskopff and Mrs. Knipping. Describes country. Visit to Pyrmont and Lackern. Visited aunt Caroline Herschel and Mrs. and Miss Beckedorff in Hanover. Convinced Madame Witte to build third moon model that JH will give to F. L. Chantrey. News of son William Herschel. Composes two hymns. Departure from Hamburg delayed; may miss H. W. M. Olbers in Bremen.
Reports on persons and meetings at B.A.A.S. Elected officers for 1839 today. Charles Babbage gave up his office of trustee in disgust. JH dislikes speaking in public.
JH is captivated by science of photography. Has blundered onto 'Calotype leaving out [W. H. F.] Talbot's principal ingredient!!' [Note added by daughter Isabella Herschel:] Papa is in hurry. Greetings to family.
Went to meet Lord John Russell. JH considers [Mastership of Mint] settled, but do not speak openly of it yet. Carried out MBH's errands in London. Encloses note for daughter Louisa from Miss A. Bryant.
Cannot determine if mastership of Royal Mint will be vacant. R. L. Sheil is in Dublin. Rumors about Sheil's new appointment. Will attend Cambridge University Commission meeting today. [G. G.] Gordon congratulated JH on Mint position. JH's host, Eneas Mackintosh, suggests that JH's son John enter Addiscombe College at age 16, but JH prefers 17. Searching for house in London. P.S.: Mr. Stroud had not heard of Mrs. Jeffrey's notice. Tell JH what to wear for 'Royal presence.'
JH still in suspense about Mastership of Mint. Wants to find house for MBH in London. Describes work that faces University Committee.
Learned from H. D. Harness today that entire Mint is undergoing reorganization. JH expects to devote considerable time to this transition. Admires Harness's capability. Read report yesterday by commission to reform Mint. Will see Lord John Russell tomorrow about Mastership of Mint.
Chancellor of Exchequer [Charles Wood] confirmed JH's appointment as Master of Mint today. R. L. Sheil will resign on 1 Dec. JH will be installed on 3 Dec. as first non-political appointee.
Richard Jones is wrong in attacking Mr. Tucker. JH must inform W. H. Sykes that [JH's son] William is going to Madras and not to Bombay. Believes that [W. H. C. Plowden] will change William's assignment. Letter from Lord John Russell has increased JH's work load. John Barlow suggests that MBH, not JH, should become member of Royal Institution. Encloses draft of letter to E. Mackintosh.
Son William is adapting to life and study in London. Dined with R. H. Inglis today and met African explorer J. H. Krapf, who discovered source of Nile. MBH will soon be member of Royal Institution. Please send copy of letter from F. M. Eardley-Wilmot to JH regarding admission to R.S.L. JH blundered in signing it. JH's note to W. H. C. Plowden was not worded correctly. Richard Jones is arranging lodging for JH's son William at Haileybury College.
Describes son William's entrance exam to Haileybury College yesterday and procedure of announcing results. Assured by [H.E.I.C. director] W. H. C. Plowden that William's assignment can be changed from Madras to Bombay. W. H. Fitton delivered 'Umbrella and [Panel?]' last night. Daily News criticized JH for inaction. Promoting decimal coinage. Mint is in crisis.
Describes JH's day at Mint and at home. Reading H. V. Regnault's 'Chemistry.' Met with Richard Grenville about 'miserably knotty affair' with Benedetto Pistrucci. Inspected [W. A.] Miller's improved assay process at R.S.L. Arranged with Sir [Charles] Fremantle to employ twenty Custom House clerks at Mint temporarily. Arranged lease of refinery to Rothschild. Too busy to join daughters and Miss Stewart for dinner and opera. Dined at Duke of Somerset's with Charles Babbage, [Holland?], and David Brewster.
Consoles MH on 'horrid affair.' Thankful that consequences were not worse. Arranging transportation for son William to Paris. Dinner with [Margaret Seymour,] Duchess of Somerset. Encloses letter from Richard Sheepshanks. Honored by Society of Arts request to include [JH's] photography in display to be shown to Prince Albert.
Hopes daughter Maria is better. Arrangements for Ball. Family finances: lists income and expenses at Collingwood and London residence. Describes carriage JH wants to buy. Ugly accident at [wedding?]; warns MH to avoid borrowing carriages. Anticipating six months of intense work following departure of H. D. Harness, after which JH intends to resign from Mint. Describes life as 'unendurable.' Misses children.
Daughters Caroline and Isabella left London yesterday. J. M. Cameron will pick up Julia today. JH stays late at Mint each night, leaving 'Miss R' [Rennie?] at home alone. Mr. Bulstrode agreed to let JH rent residence from month to month.
H. D. Harness leaves Mint today, but may return later if assignment to colonies is delayed. JH cannot go to park with daughters today. Completed report on Irish coinage. Duties regarding Cambridge University Committee.