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Has requested the government to forward payment for the clock. Regarding variations in the observations of F. W. Bessel, John Pond, etc. Has high opinion of Bessel's work. Has been sending books for Thomas Catton, but he never replies. How is Greenwich Observatory heated? Some observatories have troubles with dampness. Recommends book by K. W. Feuerbach.
Asks JH to pay CH's debt to his mother and deduct that amount from next annuity payment to CH.
Sends an abstract of his paper on observations relating to the practical construction of telescopes [JH's 'Practical Rules,' 1822]. Would like 25 copies for distribution. His recent experiments with polarized light.
Previous engagement prevents WW 'joining the early party.'
Unsure whether WW will be in town to dine with JH Monday.
Most correct mode of proceeding will be to suppress incorrect corrections and not to give credit to [T. I. M.?] Forster for inferences of [Peter?] Barlow or calculations of WW.
Sends papers for R.A.S. and A. J. Fresnel's papers. Modifies analogy of infinite pipes to clarify TY's hypothesis of three principal colors. Charles Babbage sent survey of Mont Cenis. Can JH find its barometrical observations?
Sends paper.
J. J. von Littrow delighted with clock sent by M & C and commissions JH to order another for L. A. Fallon, director of Great Austrian Trigonometrical Survey. Describes modifications. Contact Littrow for further details.
Has been ill. Should we publish our observations of 340 double stars or extend the number to 400?
Gives a formula related to a table published in the Nautical Almanac, which table listed various stellar observations made by John Pond.
Has been very busy and has only now had a chance to work on the inscription. Suggests various forms. Would like his comments on these.
About meeting Walter Scott, lawsuits and family news.
Long break in their correspondence. Publication of "Linnean Transactions" vol 14, lack of papers at Linnean Society meetings, requests one from Smith. Delay in last part of previous "Transactions" volume occasioned him "more vexation" than he can express; he is "most heartily sick of the Secretaryship" and asks that Smith consider a replacement; David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] progress [as Society Clerk]. Several objectives he would like to complete before leaving office: a subscription for a bust of Smith, though fears he will not have much good will on this, having brought forward so many other subscriptions; a general index to "Linnean Transactions"; and to put the Society's funds on a better footing, proposals for this, asks Smith to chase up money bequeathed by Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society].
[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both unwell, when he took the Chair he "appeared as if he were mad", which was much commented on by Fellows, asks Smith to ensure [William George] Maton takes the Chair when the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] cannot attend. His daughter ill.
Thanks for Macleay's "kind letters" but has "very little time to write in reply" as the "Herculean labour" of his "English Flora" demands all his daylight and most of his evening time; current progress and publication plans.
Laments "most truly" Macleay intention to resign Linnean Society Secretaryship, suggests [Joseph] Sabine, Macleay's son, or [Robert] Brown as successor, asks Macleay's opinion. Will try to write a paper for Linnean Society for March. Thanks Macleay for suggestion of a bust of him, "should esteem the honour greater than being made a Baronet at the solicitation of the Soc[iet]y". Opinion on proposed index to "Linnean Transactions". Requests most recent "Linnean", "Horticultural", and "Philosophical Transactions". Proposes Dr [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853), zoologist] of Leipzig for FMLS vacancy. Respecting Society finances, proposes charging a guinea for each volume of "Linnean Transactions".
Approves of course of treatment for Macleay's ill daughter. He had "much illness" last year but is now "very well". Lectured at Birmingham, [Warwickshire], for a month "with good success, & hope [he has] "sown good seed"".
[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both much better since he last wrote to Smith. Efforts being made to receive funds from Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society]. Smith's proposal to charge for next volume of "Linnean Transactions" not suitable.
Council thinks [Francis] Hamilton's 10 long papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" too long for "Linnean Transactions", they ask that Smith to write to Hamilton for them to be compressed as much as possible. Has no doubt that Smith's "English flora" will be "anxiously sought after" but recommends publishing it all together, in consideration of "Flora Britannica" not having been finished. Recommends Smith seek out Edmund Goodenough's [(1785-1845), headmaster] own copy of "Flora Britannica" with extensive manuscript notes. His daughter recovering from her illness.
After delay has received a specimen of Mr Maughan's 'Salix livida', gathered near Moffat. Encloses the specimens for Smith, they agree with Swedish plants he has had from [Olof] Swartz and confirmed by Christian Schmidt. Also encloses 'Juncus arcuatus' found in Grampian mountains with [George Arnott Walker] Arnott [(1799-1868)] and [Robert Kaye] Greville of Edinburgh, new to Britain and in [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] "Flora Lapponica". Has heard from [Dawson] Turner that Smith is progressing well with the "[English] Flora". Five members of his family have suffered from scarlet fever, including himself, describes symptoms. Hopes Smith has not been suffering from the severe winter.