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].
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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.
Questions and comments regarding improvements in microscopy.
Comments on several experiments with spectra passing through glass films.
[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 Moreau, which meant it had to be withdrawn.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.
Will send JH some barometric observations; describes the barometers with which the observations were made.
Discusses casting and construction of telescope speculae.
Discusses construction of his 20-foot reflecting telescope, which he modeled after the 40-foot reflector at Slough. Discusses differences of gallery and asks for advice.
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].
Heard election for position in London will not take place for several weeks. If JH can secure situation in Virginia for WR, WR will accept it.
Accepts dinner invitation. Hopes no emergencies arise that would prevent their visit.
If possible, send a magnetic needle and the prescription for mixing chrome green paint for Mrs. Somerville. Enjoyed visiting JH's mother.
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.
Encloses a copy of a letter from the astronomer [George] Fisher, who strongly supports the practicability of work in Spitzbergen. Says the letter will be presented to the Council for its consideration in hopes that a special committee will be appointed. Urges JH to show the members the copy.
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.
Claims 'it never entered [his] head' that an appointed committee would be influenced solely by the need to defend its decisions. Restates his opinion that the subject should be properly considered.
Thanks JH and Charles Babbage for their paper on the magnetic experiments. Asks to have 20 extra copies of the paper on the rocket experiments made when it is printed. Speaks of travel expenses. Mentions [T. F.] Colby's opinions regarding the Spitzbergen measurements.