Encloses invoice for stout ordered by Mr. Stewart and sent to Mrs. Waterhouse of Old Brompton.
[Form letter] Requests parishioners to attend meeting on 1 Dec. to determine future of dispensary, which affords medical relief to 89 families in parish.
Sends copy of JH's Cambridge B.A.A.S. address. Printer will send proofs for JH's inspection.
Acknowledges JH's orders for coal.
Asks for JH's autograph.
Looking forward to visit to Collingwood.
Invites JH and Margaret Brodie Herschel to dinner on 11 Nov.
Invites JH and Margaret Brodie Herschel to dinner on 27 Nov.
Announces 29 Nov. meeting of subcommittee to consider [Anthony] Panizzi's report on state of library.
Perhaps periodic surges in atmospheric waves noticed by WB will repeat. Speaks of 'new climate' for globe. Hopes WB can attend [B.A.A.S.] meeting at Southampton.
Thanks WW for his book [Of a Liberal Education, 1845]. Agrees with WW on the educational value of the calculus and on the importance of Isaac Newton's Principia. Is teaching mechanics to his son William.
Has just seen mention of MF's latest experiments showing the connection of light and magnetism. Comments on these. Proves some of his own theories to be correct.
His letter was a great encouragement and pleasure. Comments on his own and JH's experiments with light and magnetism. Contemplates a further series of experiments but requests JH not to mention it. Is at Brighton for a rest.
Crops from the land that has been electrically heated have not been exceptional. Scotch newspapers mention some more. Is pleased that JH devoted so much time to him last Spring.
JDH informs his father, Sir William Jackson Hooker, about developments in his candidature for the Chair of Botany at Edinburgh University, usually held by one person unifying the posts of College Professor, Regius Professor, & Curator of the Botanic Garden. He reports that [John Hutton] Balfour had previously refused to take the post of Chair without the garden curatorship leaving only JDH & Leller[?] as candidates. JDH is Crown nominated & has the support of the University Provost but needs approval from the Town Council. The Natural History Chair also needs dual approval, the Provost plans to petition Sir James Graham [Home Secretary] to relinquish all Government, or 'Crown', control over 1 chair in return for total control of the other, plus his guaranteed support for JDH's candidature. JDH does not think this will be well received as the government has put a lot of money into the college & botanic garden. JDH adds that Balfour has since revoked his conditional refusal of the post of Chair of Botany without the garden curatorship, & the Town Council is inclined to appoint him if only to demonstrate their influence to government. They also want someone with lecturing, not just botanical, credentials. JDH is dismissive of their opposition, if he got the posts of Regius Professor & Garden Curator the faculty would have to accept him. Only the College Professorship is in the gift of the Town Council, it would be the post devalued & JDH would be happy to free of it & the Council's oversight in exchange for the reduced salary. He concludes that it has all become a matter of politics. One Councillor suggested that JDH take Balfour's current position at Glasgow claiming it was of equal value, JDH disabused him. JDH mentions some people he has seen, or expects to soon, in Edinburgh: Nicoll, the Gibson Craigs, Deucher[?], Muir, Henderson & Smith, the Sands & Lord Falnor[?]. He also has invitations to Kilmun, Riccarton, the Smiths at Coulston, E. Hendersons & the Gardens.
No summary available.
Wants more letters from the family. School boys helping to build large schoolroom. Looking forward to summer, when fruits abundant; tired of eating Poultry. During walk saw “kind of cavalcade” that turned out to be a traveling party of traders with Negroes for sale. Watched through tears at cart of young children; “extraordinary feeling of seeing human beings being driven to market.” “They are treated like beasts and their spirits broken. They exhibit a fine taste for music and sing anything they hear.” She believes that their babies born very light- skinned, but “become darker” as they grow up.
Acknowledges arrival of beetles from Bates; design and costs of crafted insect cabinets and storage boxes. “Have you read [Chambers’] 'Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation' or is it out of your line?”