Two unwanted companions caused JH to waste two days in Clermont-Ferrand. Describes volcanoes and high winds on peaks. Actinometer experiments on Puy de Dôme. Hunting fossil bones of extinct animals.
Two unwanted companions caused JH to waste two days in Clermont-Ferrand. Describes volcanoes and high winds on peaks. Actinometer experiments on Puy de Dôme. Hunting fossil bones of extinct animals.
Describes region around St. Flour, where servant James Child was seriously ill for two days. Low opinion of French physicians. Journey to Montpellier.
Tour delayed at least one week. Clouds have restricted JH's actinometer experiments on mountains. Describes active volcano and vineyards near Agde. Ancient ruins in Nismes [Nîmes].
Death of James Grahame's relative. Explored volcanoes in Vivarais Mountains. Describes Mont Blanc at sunset. Regrets bypassing St. Bernard. Expects to reach London by 13 Oct.
Plans leisure sightseeing in Paris. Visited Louvre. [P.S. 7 Oct.:] Called on Alexis Bouvard yesterday. Met W. H. Wollaston, returning from Tyrol. Wrote to Caroline Herschel from Montpellier. Will view A. M. Ampère's electrical experiments today.
[Addition to Mary Baldwin's letter.] Health of JH's uncle. Travels through volcanic country of Vivarais. Asks CH to purchase for JH 10 copies of the first volume of William Herschel's works, recently translated into German. Sent to CH six copies of JH's 'Account of a Series of Observations Made with a 20-feet Reflecting Telescope' (1826) via Mr. Golterman, and six copies of JH's 'On the Parallax of the Fixed Stars' (1826) via Capt. Müller. James South received Copley Medal this year. Asks about comet near sun on 18 Nov.
Is making arrangements to meet with TH in London.
Tells CB of the mistake on the certificate for admission [to the R.S.L.?] for Mr. Moreau, which meant it had to be withdrawn. Doubts that reapplication would be successful. Other news from London.
Discusses the construction of JR's telescope. Mentions a number of material changes that must be made if it is to be used for sweeping [see JR's 1826-9-30].
Sends directions for chrome solution and the magnetic apparatus and instructions for its use, as requested [in WS's 1826-8-2]. Discusses experiments with magnets.
Denies any knowledge of a R.S.L. Council meeting. Trusts the council will make its decisions based on public duty and science, not on the fact that the decision must be defended in later discussions. Has passed [George] Fisher's letter on to members as ES requested.
Informs WS that the Astronomical Society has voted WS a gold medal for WS's observations of double stars. Says he is now observing nebulae. Confirms receipt of WS's fourth volume of observations sent by [E. C. F.?] Knorre. Asks WS to verify [Henry] Kater's observations on black zones in Saturn's outer ring.
Sent medal to WS. Tells WS it was awarded to WS and [James] South. Speaks of [Francis] Baily's medal presentation speech. Lists books sent to WS.
Comments on the intent of remarks appended to a paper of MF's.
Wrote letter to clarify ideas, without intentions of publication. Discusses light and spectrum of Thomas Drummond's lamp.
Comments extensively on paper on limit of vaporization and its significance in helping to settle ideas on constitution of the atmosphere.
Studying the volcanoes of Auvergne; hopes to use his newly-created actinometer at the Puy de Dôme.
Sent to CH a copy of James South's second paper on double stars and a synoptic catalog of them. Calls CH one of the first discoverers of the 'comet of 1795.' Sent to Astronomical Society a report on 300 new double stars.
Encloses a letter from Dr. John Brinkley. Please send on his manuscript catalogue of nebulae. Regarding the reading and printing of CB's paper at the Analytical. Site for his pendulum experiments.
Geological remarks on the surrounding area and excursions made.