CD is much obliged for invitations to CB’s parties, but is afraid to accept because he would meet people to whom he has sworn he never goes out.
CD is much obliged for invitations to CB’s parties, but is afraid to accept because he would meet people to whom he has sworn he never goes out.
Asks Babbage to take small parcel to Henslow.
Would like to call upon RO to discuss the last engravings sent by George Scharf. CD assumes that the revise of Toxodon [see 395] was received.
Sends rock specimen for W. H. Miller. Asks JSH to see whether there is any geology in P. B. Webb and Sabin Berthelot, Histoire naturelle des Îles Canaries [1835–50]. Finds his work on geology growing so large that it will take more than one volume and asks whether this will make publication aid more difficult.
Has accepted Secretaryship of the Geological Society.
Will not come to Cambridge because "as long as I continue well I cannot bear to leave my work for half a day".
Sends suggestions for points that would interest geologists in a description of valleys in the Blue Mountains [New South Wales].
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
R. J. Jones will be ready to receive transfer on Friday next.
Not convenient for R. J. Jones to take transfer of the property until Friday week. Sends a parcel which has just arrived.
C. P. Smyth will deliver the micrometer series JH lent him for examining the values of the transit level scale; comments on this. Had another peep at the stars JH mentioned and still finds Argus larger than Rigel. The tent fills Mrs. De Witt's yard. She is a friend and correspondent of Charles Grant (Baron Glenelg).
The zenith sector seems to perform very well, and he is now ready to move it to the stations. Has been troubled with cloudy weather. C. P. Smyth is working the mural circle on the stars. Thomas Jones has not prepared the diagonal scale promised by Francis Baily. Has not been well lately. No news from England except that Admiral George Elliott has permission from the Admiralty to settle the land question. Encloses a catalogue of Zenith stars.
Thanks for information in his letter. Agrees with JH about the variability of Hydra. Argus is returning to its original brightness. The zenith sector is down and in parts and hopes to get it re-erected on Friday. Results at the Observatory are very good.
JH is preparing to bring his observations at the Cape to a close; has polished a mirror for TM.
On the variability of Alpha Hydrae and some other stars.
Regrets that the Herschels were not allowed in when they called; he had given strict instructions that they should be shown in immediately. Grieves to hear of the short stay of the Herschels. Would like to talk to him privately on the State and the policy pursued.
Sending hourly observations of 21 and 22 Dec. last. Comments on the weather during the winter. Performance of the shooting stars in November was poor. Hopes that JH will visit the United States on his way from Brazil to England.
Has made meteorological observations as desired by JH, and has sent and received various sets of such observations. Would like to come to England to visit JH, but first wants to find a husband for his only daughter. GP's assistant at the observatory died and he is looking for a replacement. [Many parts of the letter are illegible.]
Announces F. W. Bessel's success in measuring stellar parallax.
Remembers [wedding] anniversary.