Thanks for his letter. Will communicate to P. G. le D. Pontecoulant what JH has to say about him. It was certainly unwelcome that JH should omit JL's name when referring to the lunar theory.
Thanks for his letter. Will communicate to P. G. le D. Pontecoulant what JH has to say about him. It was certainly unwelcome that JH should omit JL's name when referring to the lunar theory.
Sent an extract of JH's letter to P. G. le D. Pontecoulant. Now gives an extract from Pontecoulant's reply. Is sorry they are not to see JH at S. J. A. Compton's (2nd Marquis of Northampton) tonight.
As the Committee is to meet on Thursday he thinks it should reconsider its decision not to publish W. H. F. Talbot's paper on the Calotype process. Gives reasons as stated in a letter he has received from Talbot.
Placed JH's letter before the Committee of Papers but the Committee did not change its views regarding the publication of W. H. F. Talbot's paper. Is pleased JH is promoting his experiments so successfully.
J. F. Daniell informs JL that the table was calculated by William Galbraith. James Apjohn states everyone is in agreement that the absolute heat of steam is constant, but JL disagrees. Intends raising the matter of John Southern's experiments at the next meeting of the B.A.A.S.
Obliged by JH's letter. Would he let him know what he thinks of raising the matter of repeating John Southern's experiments. His own eldest son has gone to Langley; he shows little aptitude for figures but a decided turn for Natural History.
Will find the reference to S. D. Poisson in his own paper on the Heat of Vapours. The subject is in a state of confusion. John Southern's experiments are detailed in John Robison's Mechanical Philosophy, which can be sent from the R.S.L. library if JH does not possess it already.
Much obliged for JH calling but regrets he was out. The question [on steam] they have been discussing seems to be answered by a paper by a Prof. Karl Holtzmann he has just come across; comments on this. If JH is coming to S. J. A. Compton's (2nd Marquis of Northampton) soiree will he come and dine at St. James' Place?
Was not aware when he wrote his paper that doubt existed regarding the invariability of [the absolute heat of steam?]. Comments on the variations in the theories of S. D. Poisson and Karl Holtzmann. The experiments JH suggests would be highly interesting. Would he like to see Holtzmann's paper?
Has no doubt that any improvements JH suggests should be published. [John?] Taylor has borrowed Holtzmann's pamphlet, which will be sent as soon as returned. Karl Holtzmann's formula for air appears quite out. Gabriel Lamé evades the question. If JH writes anything on his calorimeter hopes he will mention the various questions raised.
Further regarding the various theories on the latent heat of steam. Agrees with JH regarding the magnetic observations. Hudson's Bay Company has sent a large bill for J. H. Lefroy's expenses, which the R.S.L. declines to pay. Fears that Edward Sabine is out of humor about something.
Now sees JH's point regarding the theory of steam. Comments on various experiments. Glad to see JH approves of repeating John Southern's experiments. Unable to go to Cambridge; his banking business requires unceasing attention. Doing all he can about the observations. Council will take up the East India observations.
Is JH aware that the magnetic and meteorological observations now being made at Greenwich are to cease at the end of the year? As JH was zealous for these observations he may care to write to S. J. A. Compton (2nd Marquis of Northampton). It escaped his notice that S. D. Poisson and J. B. Biot referred to saturated steam. Return John Robison and Karl Holtzmann to Mansion House when he has read them. Has consulted Thomas Graham about repeating John Southern's experiments.
Agrees with JH that the Government Observatories at the Cape and St. Helena require mature consideration. Greenwich observations are a different matter and were suggested by the R.S.L. Committee of Physics. Has directed the minute to be sent to JH. Has been studying the wet bulb question.
The magnetic and meteorological observatories were never part of any other system. Is not certain whether the Visitors had anything to do with these observatories. Captain Herbert in an Indian journal has proposed a formula for the wet bulb thermometer. Has arranged for the notice to be sent to JH.
The President was requested to write to the East India Company about the observatories. Continuance of the magnetic observations at Greenwich was referred to the Committee of Physics. Cannot find where Nicolas Clement-Desormes's observations are published. Has been studying the wet bulb problem. Capt. Herbert has denounced the article on hygrometry in Brewster's Encyclopaedia.
Has been with Philip Melvill of the East India Co. discussing the printing of the observations. Would it be a good use of JH's photographic papers to take a reverse of William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) drawings of nebulae? Cannot obtain Nicolas Clement-Desormes's or John Sharpe's papers. Doubts if the mode of measuring latent heat hitherto used can be recommended for accuracy.
Thought his letter had miscarried. Thanks for the gift of his recently published work [Cape Results]. Will be glad to supply any information from his own work on comets, which he hopes to send in the course of a few days. Is studying U. J. J. Leverrier's method of development by elimination.
Regarding his own method of calculating the perturbations of the comets. Expense of computation is high for an individual and a mention by JH would bring support for his scheme. Would like to explain his method at an ordinary meeting in January. Every branch of science is facilitated by tables and those he suggests seem most desirable.
Has been considering a reply to JL's letter of the 25th. Outlines two courses to take and prefers the latter himself. Communicate with Richard Sheepshanks regarding the viva voce.