Asks TM to attend a meeting of the Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa.
Showing 21–40 of 69 items
Asks TM to attend a meeting of the Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa.
Notes discrepancies between TM's and Thomas Brisbane's observations.
Exhausted from his meteorological observations, JH will not keep his appointment for tomorrow with TM.
Asks TM to return JH's book of star magnitudes.
Asks TM whether he plans to work today.
Wants to borrow TM's carpenter. Found a faint planetary nebula.
Agrees with George Airy that Mercury should be studied more closely. Discusses TM's researches of N. L. Lacaille's Northern Extremity.
Not surprised that the measuring rods broke; knew that they were top heavy. Discusses improvements. Very busy. A horse stepped on JH's foot, but no broken bones.
Sending the spherometer. Discusses stars and nebulae observed near the South Pole.
Reports that Dr. Andrew Smith received a grant of £1500 from the British government.
Regrets having to send the observations on so many sheets; those in red ink will be re-observed. John Steuart has given him a note about spots on the sun. Sends Mr. Stebbing's letter and would like JH's comments when he sees him.
Intended to ride over today, but urgent mail from England claimed his attention. No news from the Admiralty. No news of the tide machine. The tripods are finished. Gathers that the Bonita cannot perform all D. F. J. Arago wished.
Received the enclosed communications by the steamer. Can JH send him a list of unobserved comet stars? Work on N. L. Lacaille's Observatory gives satisfaction. Regarding Capt. Mackonochee. Lacaille's angular measurements are not above suspicion. Observed the two rings of Saturn distinctly.
Will call on JH tomorrow as he intends visiting Simon's Bay. Is taking a proof sheet to Cape Town. There appears to be a great discrepancy between the Captain's statement and N. L. Lacaille's station. The latter's station at Rubeck Castel remains perfect.
The examination of the standard deal rod was commenced yesterday. Comments on the procedure and gives readings. The base line was levelled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and he is now ready to measure it. Would like JH to be present if possible when he measures it. Had 25 visitors in one morning recently.
Weather was so unpromising that he sent off the men who were to repair the ravages to the base line levelings. Will JH therefore come on Wednesday instead of Monday provided the weather remains fine. Sorry he missed JH's request for barometric comparisons.
Had an unfortunate accident with the rods yesterday; one was smashed by the force of the wind. Intends to stake the whole line before the actual measurement takes place. Will calculate JH's Brisbane stars.
Sends the observations of the 21st copied by his daughter Mary. The leak in the center room has been repaired. Comments on JH's plan for measuring the base line. The Brisbane stars are nearly finished.
Gives a list of the close Polar stars. Started last night to observe the stars on JH's list but was put off by JH's right ascensions. Will observe each star again this night. John Fairbairn cannot divest himself of the apprehension of danger to Andries Stockenström.
Encloses a plan of the triangulation and comments on his method. Thinks of making the baseline on the parade a permanent standard and has written to the Governor to obtain permission, as there is friction between the Board of Ordnance and the Cape Authorities over the ownership of the Parade. Has had no reply from the Governor as yet.