JH carried portable barometer by Edward Troughton and thermometer by Mr. Newman to Europe and compared these to instruments used by individual scientists and observatories. Reports results to Board of Longitude.
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JH carried portable barometer by Edward Troughton and thermometer by Mr. Newman to Europe and compared these to instruments used by individual scientists and observatories. Reports results to Board of Longitude.
Thanks TY for books and for taking charge of [G. A. A.] Plana's plates. JH mentioned Eilhard Mitscherlich only when no other proposals came forth. Matter was left hanging. Assures TY that JH was not offended [see TY's 1824-11-21, i.e., #1075]. Regrets 'dilapidated state of scientific matters' in R.S.L.
Edward Sabine declares that R.S.L. is hostile to ES's interests. If ES makes future claim for compensation, JH wants TY's opinion in writing. Need to order four night glasses for Fairlight Station. Encloses letter from [Richard] Copeland.
Encloses note from Sir John Barrow refusing scientific instruments and objecting to using barometers. Supplying cameras and sextants to Admiralty's marine survey is not interference by Board of Longitude. Sent JH's expenses to Edward Sabine; has no further word on subject. Encloses Mr. Stewart's note about damages at Wrotham.
Encourages TY to publish 1829 supplement to Nautical Almanac. JH originally proposed supplement to introduce improvements that would bring N. A. to be like Encke's Ephemeris. That is all ended now. English are dropping behind French and Germans in science. JH refuses to accept money from government 'which treats its agents so cavalierly.' Reduction of Parramatta [Australia] observations. Did not see TY's paper in W. T. Brande's [Quarterly Journal of Science and Art], but objects to substitution of true for mean equinox.
Leaving for two weeks in Netherlands.
Announces 2 June meeting of 'Commissioners for more effectually discovering the Longitude at Sea.' Inquired about 'excise,' but sees no reason to wait for Navy Board to act.
Board of Longitude will meet on 3 Jan. to examine instruments and proposals, and to consider Fearon Fallows's report from Cape of Good Hope.
Board of Longitude reluctant to pay for new building at James South's unless South and JH agree to place their observations at Board's disposal.
Next meeting of Board of Longitude.
Fears JH misunderstood TY's remark about the injustice of James South's accusation regarding Nautical Almanac. TY was not trying to provoke South's hostility. Sends 'Schumacher's No. 10' for JH's perusal.
Asks JH to check accuracy of Nautical Almanac entry for Jupiter's satellites III and IV on 20 Aug. 1819. Thanks for JH's note, but tell James South 'he is bound to give his reasons....'
Has no errands for JH in Holland or Flanders. Asks for details on JH's and Charles Babbage's method of determining heights by barometrical observations. Hopes to use this to confirm TY's method by 'my formula deduced from refraction.'
Board of Longitude will meet at TY's home on Saturday.
Repeat computation for Jupiter's satellite IV [see TY's 1824-4]. Explains W. H. Wollaston's 'blue bow.' See figure 422 of TY's [Lectures on Natural Philosophy].
As R.S.L. vice president, JH should reconsider his report favoring Eilhard Mitscherlich over W. H. Wollaston. This may be last opportunity to pay Wollaston a 'just compliment.' Agrees with JH that much in R.S.L. 'nicknamed science [is] sleight of hand,' and that 'great injustice is done to men of science.' But TY expects a short life and tries not to be concerned about approval of others.
TY would rather have JH's labor made useful another year. W. H. Wollaston does not want [Royal] medal, but medal wants Wollaston. One council member felt that TY's remarks offended JH. Assures JH it was not intended.
Math is flimsy in John Dalton's theory of vapor dispersion, but physical grounds are firm. Sends copy of TY's volume on sound. Modules of elasticity and tension are analogies to explain TY's doctrine. Presently studying modules of elasticity that do not apply to chimney pipes investigated by Daniel Bernoulli and J. H. Lambert.
Ask Charles Babbage to send tables of logarithms to TY, who will compare them to [Brook] Taylor's. Bets that five errors will be found. Did JH order mountain barometer from [J. F.] Newman? Will inquire about [W. E.] Parry's instruments. Admiralty, not us, should order sextants.
Questions JH's conclusion that Board of Longitude has power to interfere in Admiralty operations. Disagrees that Nautical Almanac errors are serious. Compares them to tables of Charles Hutton, F. X. von Zach, and H. C. Schumacher. When will TY receive Charles Babbage's table?