Is indisposed so will not be coming to London; leaves it to him and Edward Sabine to send answer to H. P. F. P. Clinton (5th Duke of Newcastle). Would like an up-to-date citation for W. E. Weber as he has been awarded the Royal Medal.
Did not expect to see U. J. J. LeVerrier's prediction of an inferior planet verified so soon. Observations of E. M. Lescarbault meritorious. Is writing to Charles Tennant and W. R. Birt to join in the observations of the planet.
Capt. W. S. Jacob has supplied him with enclosed letter as a basis for the Committee to work on. Would like his opinion on the scheme. Hopes Poonah will be the base for new observations. Size and quality of the Kew solar photographs.
On the desirability of one good observatory in India. Thinks Poonah would be the best site. Time not suitable to press for this establishment.
Is working on a volume on the gold standard.
Many thanks for the dates for the memoir of George Peacock. Queries the name of his father. Comments on various church matters.
Many thanks for the information. Finds that George Peacock wrote a book entitled the Measurer. Someone has sent him a geometrical question with abominable diagrams.
Has been employed in London studying the way in which Government aid is granted to further popular education. Will be moving on to Glasgow soon to do similar work. Has been offered an L.L.D. if he can obtain a recommendation from someone in this country.
Is grateful for the kind manner in which he answered his letter. Gives news of the College in South Africa. Details of Shaw House, Newbury.
Recalls JH's letter from Cape regarding study of etymology. Encloses HW's own effort to develop this.
Sending JH his Essays [Essays: Scientific, Political, and Speculative, 1857] and HS's 'Recent Astronomy and the Nebular Hypothesis,' the latter just published in the Westminster Review. Requests JH's comments on the latter publication.
Thanks HS for sending [see HS's 1859-1-10] HS's Essays and his 'Recent Astronomy and the Nebular Hypothesis.' Regarding the latter, points out a geometrical error, expresses reservations about HS's and Auguste Comte's views of the nebular hypothesis, and argues against HS's theory of sunspot structure. Agrees with HS's idea that some nebulae may be nearer than commonly thought.
Talks of a committee attempting a massive collection of knowledge from the colonies; JH is considering exchanging some furniture between London and Collingwood.
JH decides not to exchange furniture [see JH's 1859?, i.e., #11005] on daughter Caroline's recommendation; some financial matters.
About an expected death, an accident involving an omnibus, and MH's return arrangements for the following day.
Sons William and John have brought photographs from India; also writes news of family and friends.
Tells about missing a meeting with HRH Prince Albert, about a paper read at a R.S.L. meeting, and describes how to figure out how strong a reading glass JH needs to buy for his wife, Margaret. JH saw Charles Wheatstone, who has devised an alphabetic telegraph.
About the cost of sending a telegram to India.
No summary available.
JDH hopes Asa Gray continues his U.S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION publication. JDH is studying the flora of Fiji, Tahiti & the Sandwich Islands [Hawaii] & working on a preliminary essay to FLORA TASMANIAE. He is trying to trace the extent of Australian flora in the Pacific: it goes as far as New Zealand, Norfolk Islands, New Caledonia & the New Hebrides [Vanuatu] but no further, the flora of Fiji is more Indian. Possibly the explanation lies in differing geology. He thinks that an ancient Southern Continent must be the origin of the Australian flora & explanation for there being South African types in South West Australia & Polynesian species on the East coast of the continent. Discusses evidence of type persistence in Australia: Miocene era Banksia ericifolia preserved in lava beds in Victoria, & fossil Casuarina cones from Bass Straits. However, he also has an Araucaria excelsa cone from oolite in England. He concludes that geographical ranges have changed & the old theory of absolute creation is disproved & he will work to more modern hypotheses [Darwin's natural selection] without accepting them as doctrine. It must be accepted that the formation of land & sea has changed as agents of migration such as animals, wind & currents cannot account for current species distribution. He lists his five starting hypotheses to explain distribution of species, including the evolution of new species by selection & effects of land movement. Also, enumerates how this agrees with the expected fact of evolution of species from an aboriginal condition, including the existence of greater numbers of distinct species on remote islands & the great biodiversity of the southern temperate zone considering there is so little land compared to the North. JDH wrote these thoughts at Lord Wrottesley's, he has now returned to Kew & paid Thomson's[?] debt to [William Henry?] Harvey. JDH is shocked by Alphonse de Candolle begging to be made a Foreign Fellow of the Royal Society. [Letter incomplete]