Family news, and marriage prospects for JG and JH [letter completed 1827-8-15 at Dawlish].
Family news, and marriage prospects for JG and JH [letter completed 1827-8-15 at Dawlish].
About observing comets, problems with book sellers and shipping books. JL has written a popular astronomy in which he deals with perturbations, precession, and other difficult topics. Would JH like a copy?
Queries and comments about telescopes and microscopes; some thoughts about a diffraction grating.
Asks JH to clarify what goods are his from a joint order with WT from a German optical firm.
Heard JH declined mathematics professorship at London University. WR is a candidate for the position. Asks for JH's support.
Announces eight copies of his Catalogus novus stellarum duplicium et multiplicium are being sent. Has delegated some work on double stars to his aid [E. W.] Preuß.
Feels distant from her family in England. Notes that the French occupation has changed Hanover from what it was when CH left in 1772.
Expresses regret over JH's resignation of R.S.L. post [as Secretary].
Letter of condolence on the death of CB's son Charles.
News of the illness of his son.
Has laid his letter before the Council of London University and hopes he will reconsider his refusal [of professorship].
Further reasons why he cannot accept the position of Professor at London University.
Has completed one of his telescopes. Sends a paper which he hopes JH will accept.
Declines the offer of the Professorship of Higher Mathematics at the University of London. Wishes to have time to devote to research.
Encouraged to write to Smith by the "persevering attention bestowed by [Smith] upon the progress & the wishes of young botanists, of which he possess so many solid proofs in [Smith's] works".
Discusses apparent ambiguity in earlier editions of "English botany" and "English flora" over the 'Ophrys' species considered 'O. apifera' by Haller and 'O. adrachnites' by Professor Murray; errors respecting localities; encloses sketches, to be returned; William Hutchinson of Hythe, [Kent], [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] author of "Physiological Botany", Robert Price of Lyminge, [Kent], and himself all think it is variety of 'O. apifera'; detailed history and observations.
Provides localities for various local plants.
Thanks for Pleasance's letter. Weather "very hot", and he is going on with his "[English] Flora". Asks that Pleasance give "dear little Pleasy some kisses for [him]". Comments on flowers in the garden, including 'Coreopsis tinctroia', 'Agapanthus', and 'Balsam'. His plans for the next few days.
[Note by Pleasance Smith on recto of second folio] "I think this is my dear James's last letter!".
Observations on the moving of Ireland's only indigenous heath to the genus 'Dabaecia' [sic]. Asks whether any of the four English heaths are wild in Ireland and if not whether the bogs of Ireland are composed of the roots of 'Salix herbacea' or 'Dabaecia', or another plant. Asks whether 'Erica vulgaris', 'Erica cernua' or 'Erica tetralix' are found along with 'Erica vagans' in Cornwall.
[Duppa incorrectly names 'Dabaecia', which is a non-existent genus. Pleasance Smith (see PubInNote below) believes he probably meant 'Menziesia', and says the Irish heath plant was originally named 'Andromeda dabaecia' by Linnaeus].