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Discusses establishment of the Museum of Economic Botany at Kew by William Jackson Hooker; asks about how to find a book of paper samples like one owned by Babbage for the Museum.
Encloses seeds gathered from Heracleum sphondylium. Brief discussion of William Jackson Hooker’s trip to the Alps region, including failed attempt to climb Mont Blanc.
Tells CB that everyone is anxious to have CB allow his name to stand for the Secretaryship of the R.S.L. JH lists many names of people who have all said they would vote for CB.
In describing the way in which J. G. Children was elected to the secretaryship, JH says 'the matter was irregularly brought by the President before a meeting of eight or nine persons whom he chose to call a council' to meet for a few minutes 'to transmit some business connected with the Treasurer's accounts.' JH feels Humphry Davy's actions will not be excused even by Davy's best friends.
Refuses to become a partisan in this conflict [see CB's 1854-12-13]. JH would only become involved if he felt he could be a peacemaker.
[Letter entirely 'in cipher' (code) except for 'Dear Babbage.']
Chemical news: decomposition of 'sulphuret of carbon' by J. J. Berzelius and Alexander Marcet. Analysis of 'azotane' and discovery of 'iode' by Humphry Davy. Congratulations on results of CB's examination.
Feigned reproach for CB's return to 'the Analytics.' Inquires about CB's 'Devonshire Ghost at Chudleigh.' Results of JH's chemistry experiments. Derides scientists who promote theory of 'akasch' as the one and only form of matter. Met Alexander Marcet in Greenwich.
Gratitude for CB's friendship. Chemical supplies and instruments. Describes synthesis of 'Sulphurane' [S2Cl2] and other experiments. Theories of combustion and acids. [Letter continued on 1813-9-21:] JH avidly studying law, against father's wishes.
CB has founded 'a calculus totally new and immensely powerful.'
Attending E. D. Clarke's mineralogy lectures. JH's analysis of dioptase.