From:
John Herschel
To:
Agnes Greig
Date:
11 May 1866
Source of text:
MSH 3 / 303, Dep. c. 370, Bod, MS
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Brigitte Stenhouse
No summary available.
Comments on analytic symbolism in mathematics.
Expresses thanks for RH, in a paper on George Boole in the British Quarterly Review, giving JH credit for having published 'my introduction of the mode of separation of the symbol of differentiation from the differentiated function and executing on it operations analogous to those of common algebra.'
Comments on new star reported by WH [see WH's 1866-5-18]; includes diagram of that portion of the sky.
Comments on EH's 'Magic pictures', which JH said he produced and described in a paper twenty-six years earlier; JH is however unable to explain the process chemically.
Has now received his pamphlet. Does not agree with its findings, but will submit it to the R.S.L., though it cannot be printed in R.S.P.T. as it has already appeared elsewhere. Comments on some of EK's theories.
Carefully describes how to pack actinometers being shipped to India.
Mostly about arranging a meeting with both JW and G. B. Airy at the Greenwich Visitation.
Did not mean to say that meteors describe an exact circle round the sun. Comments on the phenomena of meteors.
In response to FK's 1866-4-17, JH says that he knows nothing about screw propulsion in ships and so cannot comment on FK's paper.
Comments on the relationship between the plane of the earth's orbit and the obliquity of the ecliptic.
Regarding the inventor of the compensation bars. Would not attribute their invention to Thomas Drummond in the light of J. E. Portlock's evidence. Thanks for the paper on ancient Greek kinship.
Agrees that a large part of the hills and valleys are due to tidal action. Comments further on this, especially relating to parts of France. The Hawkhurst lectures have ceased and are not likely to be resumed.
Comments that the sound of the waves on the seashore seems louder as the rhythm matches the pulse of the heart.
Has been asked to comment on the writings of Hermann von Schlagintweit, but JH has not yet had time to read them carefully and so cannot comment.
Returns letter of George Bryandt. Dispute over auction of property belonging to MB's late brother [Thomas], of whose will JH is executor.
Writes a very kind letter, encouraging JS to remember the good days when JS and JH worked together in astronomy, and to forget less happy events. [This letter was enclosed in JH's 1865-5-31 to John F. South.]
As JH rarely comes to London. and is himself in poor health, it is unlikely that JH can visit James South. JH wants, however, also to wipe bitter recollections from his mind.
Grants permission for JH's son John to remove one bundle of papers from JH's storage box.
As executor for estate of late [Thomas] Baldwin, JH received OH's certificate and order for payment to Mrs. Baldwin. Concern for Mrs. Baldwin's advanced age and her lax method of writing checks. Disposition of estate after Mrs. Baldwin dies.