Tells CD a bill is all right. Hopes his father will pay it and a wine merchant’s bill as well.
Showing 1–20 of 29 items
Tells CD a bill is all right. Hopes his father will pay it and a wine merchant’s bill as well.
EAD thinks it a pity if CD does not go to Cambridge, but it will be very pleasant for them to be together at Edinburgh, where they should go as soon as possible and read. EAD is getting "case-hardened" in anatomy.
Has recently discovered in Cumberland a rich vein of cobalt, which is mixed with iron. Would like his opinion whether these ores can be easily separated. Can send him a specimen if required.
Outlining his Italian travels after leaving Naples. Had to return home as business pressed.
Thanks JH for introducing WR's paper on photometer to R.S.L. council. Sends drawing of instrument and alterations to WR's paper that resulted from improvements in instrument.
Suggested improvements to John Leslie's photometer.
Will present alterations of WR's paper to R.S.L. [see JH's 1825-1-27]. Asks if he may describe the similarities between WR's photometer and an instrument JH used in Italy and Sicily.
Giving details of Giuseppe Bianchi's barometer. Regarding the experiments of Leopoldo Nobili on the electrization of mercury. Gives tables of star observations.
Would like to borrow the drawing of Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Has received an account of this telescope from Wilhelm Struve, which he is now translating. Regarding the miscarriage of the Memoirs for Struve.
Regarding his own experiments with revolving balls.
Sends drawings associated with WW's paper and passed by [R.S.L.] Council for printing, and memoir from M. A. Pictet.
Comments on a variety of topics about various scientific persons on the Continent, on JH's travels in Europe, on ways to send packets between England and Europe, and on FZ's copy of the Nautical Almanac, which FZ has not yet received. Makes comparisons between his and JH's barometer, offers some comet observations, and talks about the appropriate date for Easter. Awaits JH's double star observations.
Reports on some observations from JS's observatory near Paris and on his contacts with the Paris Observatory. Relays to JH a request from Alexander von Humboldt for barometric observations. Invites JH to visit.
About lodgings in London [see JG's 1824-12-31], JG's writing, and his 'love affairs.'
More about lodgings in London [see JG's 1825-2-14], and about books JG and JH have read [letter completed 1825-3-9].
Sends letter via Dr [William Jackson] and Mrs Hooker. Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 January; sorry to hear of death of his "excellent nephew" in India and comments on the "numerous instances" of similar losses of "our young & adventurous friends in the Western world".
Overwhelmed by the literary work he has undertaken, even though he has almost finished work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and the third part on "penal jurisprudence". Third and fourth parts of his "Monandrian Plants" about to appear; notes on 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', settled by communications from West Indies; 'Myrosma' cultivated abundantly in Martinique and they expect it at [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, worries it might be a 'Phrynium'; an 'Alpinia auriculata' appearing in his next number, along with figure of [Robert] Brown's 'Hellenia cerulea'. Thanks for Smith's good wishes respecting his son, Thomas, who has settled indepently with his "little family" in Camden Town.
[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]
Declines offer of Secretaryship of the Linnean Society and explains his decision. Pleased that Smith's health has improved and his progress with the third volume of "The English Flora". Sending Smith his appendix to "Captain Parry's 1st Voyage" and his contribution to the botanical appendix of "Captain Franklin's journey". Pleased that Smith is to adopt Brown's proposals for 'Cruciferae', and comments on [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's work on the same.
Queries on 'Thea' for his dissertation on same: asks why Linnaeus' named two species, 'Thea bohea' and 'T. viridis', asks that Smith consult Linnaean specimens.
[Smith has noted his reply of 12 February 1825] Relates his findings following examination of Linnaeus' specimens; confusion caused by the Chinese sending specimens of species of 'Thea' and 'Camelliae' to Europe under guise of different teas; has never been able to find any specific difference between 'T. bohea' and 'T. viridis'.
On instruction of Legislature of Jamaica encloses copies of a Report of the House of Assembly and Resolution of the House on establishment of a botanic garden in Jamaica [extant]. Investigations to be carried out on how the soil of the island will support new vegetable cultivation or further of indigo, tobacco, and mulberry; lists skills required of curator of the garden, requests Smith's opinions.
Manuscript copies encloses copy of report of the House of Assembly, 14 December 1824, and resolution of the House Assembly, 16 December 1824, on establishment of a botanic garden.
Sorry that [Robert] Brown has declined Secretaryship of the Linnean Society, as he would have "done so much honour to the Society"; [James] Bicheno is willing to accept the post if offered; [Edward] Barnard also expressed an interest, but majority of Council favours Bicheno. Departure of [Alexander] Macleay a "great loss" for the Society but the colony [New South Wales] will benefit, as "such a man is much wanted there"; [Joseph] Sabine has been called out on his proposed portait of Macleay.
He has moved to Hale End, [Essex], invites Smith to stay when next in London.