Went to see the bones of the mastodon last Friday. R. I. Murchison and W. H. Wollaston will be coming to Oxford on the 18 Feb.; can JH arrange to meet them there?
Went to see the bones of the mastodon last Friday. R. I. Murchison and W. H. Wollaston will be coming to Oxford on the 18 Feb.; can JH arrange to meet them there?
The Murchisons and Somervilles will be visiting him in February and he would be glad if JH would come and meet them then.
Regrets he was unable to dine with him on Monday. Regarding the secretary of the Astronomical Society. Will meet him at the R.S.L. on Tuesday.
Regarding the possibility of the Astronomical Society providing one or two pendulums. Remarks on pendulums. F. W. Bessel has been experimenting with pendulums.
Regarding his own forthcoming experiments with his telescopes.
Wishes to obtain a compensating pendulum clock for the new observatory of Archduke Maximilian. Can JH advise on one and the price? Has started several series of observations.
Thanks JS for materials sent. Laments the decline of science in England. Believes decline has deep roots.
Letter of introduction for Charles Babbage who wishes to visit NC's observatory in Palermo.
Captain [Henry] Foster states that the Admiralty must very shortly receive directions from the R.S.L. concerning the scientific objectives for Foster's voyage.
Suffered a stroke on 16 December, affecting his speech and right-hand side of his body, but much recovered after copious bleeding, blistering, and other remedies; still confined to his library. Finished his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts, although [Thomas William] Coke has postponed its publication. His botanical work ["Monandrian Plants"] almost completed. Shortly before his stroke he concluded his correspondence with New York respecting the discipline in the prisons there, closing his investigation, so for the first time in many years free from any literary engagements.
Would be pleased to receive Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Difficulty of obtaining books from England. Revising his view on 'Scabiosa columbaria' following receipt of Smith's views, comments on confusion caused by it being given multiple names as mentioned in his last letter, with addition of 'Scabiosa acutiflora'. Debate on other 'Scabiosa' it could also be including 'Scabiosa maritima', 'Scabiosa atro-purpurea', 'Scabiosa indica', 'Scabiosa italica', 'Scabiosa argentea', 'Scabiosa rutafolia', and 'Scabiosa urceolata'. Desires Smith's opinion so is sending the 'Scabiosae' in question amongst other Italian plant specimens.
Sends two small works lately published, one entirely by himself and other with the botanical part taken from his father's manuscripts [Thomas Furly Forster]; his plans for future botanical publication. He is now settled at Boreham, near Chelmsford, and getting into medical practice. Invites Smith to stay on his way into London. Improvements in "Curtis's Magazine". Sends seed of a new 'Crepis' from central France.
[Elizabeth Anne Tyrrell], the wife of his neighbour, [Sir John Tyssen] Tyrrell, has eloped with [John Humphrey] St Aubyn [(1790-1857)], son of Sir John St Aubyn [(1758-1839)].