CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.
Showing 1–20 of 30 items
CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.
Asks Whewell questions on earthquake wave action.
Thanks him for signature [to CD’s request to Chancellor of the Exchequer for funds for Zoology].
Informs him of J. B. Jukes’s plans concerning the Newfoundland survey post.
Asks WW to alter, before printing, the passages in WW’s Presidential Address to the Geological Society [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1839): 93] which pointedly allude to the delay in publication of CD’s Beagle journal; they might annoy FitzRoy, who, as Captain, has a right to first use of the papers of all officers on board.
Thanks WW for wedding gift.
Expresses admiration for his History of the inductive sciences [1837].
No summary available.
Invites WW to Slough before JH travels to Midhurst [to consider property for sale].
Despite respecting the distinguished company in the Geological Society, JH must refuse its presidency.
Reports to the B.A.A.S. [through WW as section president] on experiments JH has conducted concerning the photochemical effects of the rays at the far red end of the spectrum.
Thanks WW for sending Richard Jones's new book and comments on it. Comments on WW's 'Science of the English Universities' and WW's review of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology. Has heard that WW is reviewing JH's Prelim. Discourse.
Is sending WW a large collection of writings on optics and light.
Thanks WW for his favorable review of JH's Prelim. Discourse. Vernon Harcourt has asked JH for his views on the establishment of a B.A.A.S. Expresses some support but numerous reservations. Responds favorably to WW's suggestion that prominent scientists prepare surveys of their specialties for the meeting.
Has arrived at Cape Town; finds it an 'Earthly Paradise.' Describes its climate and noteworthy features of the southern heavens. JH's views on geology transformed by having read volume III of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology.
Reports on the meteorological and tidal conditions at the Cape. Praises climate and observing conditions. Comments negatively on James Dunlop's catalogue of southern nebulae.
Discusses tidal observations made at the Cape and a paper by WW on tides. Praises viewing conditions at the Cape. Describes political struggles at the Cape.
Describes a work on ethics with an empirical orientation, which JH plans to write. Discusses the meteorology and geology of the Cape region.
Describes in detail efforts, only partially successful, made by Thomas Maclear and JH to record tidal data at Simon's Bay and Table Bay. Gives some interpretation of the data.
Reports on efforts made in June 1835 by JH and Thomas Maclear to have tidal observations made at Simon's Bay and Table Bay. Reports briefly on JH's astronomical observations. Describes increasing tensions with the Caffers [Kaffirs] in the Cape region.
Reports on JH's efforts to secure tidal observations for WW, the Duke of Northumberland's offer to finance the printing of JH's Cape astronomical observations, and JH's sighting of Saturn's sixth satellite. Encourages WW's efforts to write a philosophy of the inductive sciences.
Thanks for WW's History of the Inductive Sciences and for dedicating it to JH. Has read volume I, being especially impressed by WW's stress on hypothesizing. Recounts difficulties in getting tidal observations for WW. Is sending back a large number of JH's astronomical observations.