Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
Showing 81–100 of 135 items
Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.
Accepts invitation to dine with ES. Working on sixth edition of Outlines Astr. Has sent argument against converting to metric system to Leeds.
Did not realize [John] Hennessey was considering constructing an achromatic telescope. Thanks ES for considering his son, Alexander, for the Melbourne post.
Discusses papers concerning light on [William] Sharpey's list. Discusses, very critically, Henry Brougham's optical researches.
Comments on ES's measurement [in his Account of Experiments to Determine the Figure of the Earth] indicating 'the increase of the fraction expressing the earth's compression.' Predicts that ES's result will cause a 'sensation,' but does not commit himself to it.
Discusses Harvard University offer to make magnetic measurements. Requests ES to read Admiralty extracts. Asks questions regarding JH's upcoming review [in Quarterly Review] of several works on terrestrial magnetism.
Advises on the construction of the Melbourne reflecting telescope. Thinks [W. P.] Wilson should come to watch construction.
Responds to ES's proposal to conduct a series of meteorological observations from the peak of Teneriffe. Promises to bring it before the Board of Longitude for consideration for support.
Responds to ES's letter of 1825-4-4, stating that JH now understands that ES will proceed with the Teneriffe observations only if funds are provided. Praises Sabine's previous work.
On 1825-4-7 presented ES's proposal for experiments at Teneriffe to the Board of Longitude, which judged the experiments not sufficiently relevant to the Board's concerns. Offers to seek endorsement from the R.S.L.
Invites ES to join him and other scientists for dinner. Requests that ES prepare a detailed description and justification of his proposed Teneriffe experiments for consideration by the R.S.L. Council.
Read your proposal on experiments at Teneriffe to the R.S.L. Council, which declined to make 'an especial recommendation' in support of them to the government.
Six artillery men have been placed under ES's command. Encloses letters from Charles Bonne. Asks ES to oversee the arrival of 180 rockets to be used at Wrotham and Fairlight. Proposes that ES test whether a light at Wrotham can be seen at Fairlight in which case gunpowder will be used instead of rockets. Sets date for ES to meet Bonne in Hornoy. Urges ES to record his expenses for the Board of Longitude.
Denies any knowledge of a R.S.L. Council meeting. Trusts the council will make its decisions based on public duty and science, not on the fact that the decision must be defended in later discussions. Has passed [George] Fisher's letter on to members as ES requested.
Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of ES's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by ES.
Regrets deeply the little notice given to the observatories and to Humphrey Lloyd in the R.S.L. President's recent speech. Urges ES to comfort Lloyd. States R.S.L. 'is no longer the sole arena in which a scientific name can be acquired.'
Declines to take steps to call a special committee or council meeting of the R.S.L. regarding foreign communications of the observatories, noting his own wish to stay out of R.S.L. affairs.
Insists on inclusion of all data and graphs in the publication of the accumulated magnetic observations, made as part of 'perhaps the very greatest scientific operation ... ever ... undertaken....' Urges that funding be sought from the government.
Provides examples to justify governmental support of various magnetic and meteorological observations. States that 'Terrestrial magnetism ... of all sciences of observation holds out the greatest present prospect of decisive reduction under ... exact theory.' Mentions work by N. L. Lacaille and Thomas Maclear at the Cape.