From:
John Herschel
To:
William Somerville
Date:
15 Jul 1826
Source of text:
MSH 3 / 299, Dep. c. 370, Bod, MS
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Brigitte Stenhouse
Showing 1–20 of 61 items
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Declines being considered for the Lucasian professorship at Cambridge, stating his convictions 'that I shall do more for science as an independent amateur than as a Professor of any particular branch or department of it.' Proposes Charles Babbage as candidate. [Also includes draft of letter to George Peacock requesting his support for Babbage.]
Asks for the use of an invariable pendulum and a clock from the Board of Longitude so that G. B. Airy and William Whewell can carry out experiments to measure the change in gravity and the mean density of the earth, in a Yorkshire coal mine.
Looked for JS to talk with him about the secretaryship of the R.S.L., specifically discussing Charles Babbage's position. JH would prefer to have JS nominate Babbage.
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.
Is not able to accede to HD's suggestion that JH interview J. G. Children. JH now feels that given HD's views, JH must withdraw Charles Babbage's name from nomination for secretary of the R.S.L.
On 23 Nov. in the evening, at what JH calls an irregular meeting of the R.S.L., J. G. Children was elected Secretary, to serve with JH, who had been secretary for some years. JH urges that the R.S.L. and its members must now rise beyond this shabbiness and move ahead.
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.
Urges JS not to insist on a minor point of dispute about the title of a prospective member. JH feels it is inappropriate and will simply reflect against Charles Babbage, who proposed this person for membership.
Thanks HO for JH's election to the Royal Academy of Copenhagen. Comments on some chemical and magnetical experiments.
Chemical constitution of meteorites. JH suspects lead-iron alloy. Believes this has not been proposed before. Send specimen for JH's analysis.
JH plans to explore volcanic districts of Auvergne and Vivarais, then along Rhine to Bonne and Andermatte. Has cancelled plan to cross to Staffa [Scotland] and explore there.
Returns house keys. Smooth passage across Channel. Met James Grahame's brother-in-law, Mr. Robison, who is going to Paris to be married. James South arranged carriage for JH's travels in France. Servant James Child is well and observed four criminals executed in London before departing. News of Beckwiths.
Journey from London and French countryside. Towns and Paris are vastly improved since 1801 visit. Charles Babbage and wife are in Paris. Received letters of introduction from Georges Cuvier, J. N. Nicollet, and J. P. Delessert for JH's expedition to Auvergne. Alexis Bouvard is recovering from fall. Georgianna Babbage has recovered and promised to write to MPH. [Letter continued 4 Sept. in Moulins:] Traveled more than 100 miles today. [Letter continued 5 Sept. in Clermont-Ferrand:] Massive flooding in Riom. Impressive view of volcanoes. [Letter continued 6 Sept.:] Will ascend Puy de Dôme today with two companions.