Enamored of Margaret Stewart. Orders MH to secrecy about JH's engagement. Praises fiancée's musical talent.
Enamored of Margaret Stewart. Orders MH to secrecy about JH's engagement. Praises fiancée's musical talent.
Declines offer by Archbishop of Canterbury to join provisional committee to govern newly proposed King's College.
Wishes JH well on his visit to Stewart family and to Cambridge. Personal finances. Arrangements for JH's new servant.
Sends packet of CH's personal papers to JH. Explains why CH destroyed her diary, which reminded her of painful last years in England before William Herschel's death.
Suggests that phenomenon in observing Jupiter satellite was an optical illusion. Asks WS to observe spots on Mars to confirm observations of William Pearson. Asks WS to contribute to W. S. Stratford memorial.
Has been contemplating a larger work on Light, but thinks he may be able to write a shorter, more popular work for the Cabinet Cyclopaedia. Wonders who the other contributors will be.
Is now prepared to write a signed article on light requested by DL [see JH's 1828-7-25]; JH encourages DL to ask William Whewell, W. H. Fitton, and George Peacock to write as well; recommends against use of color printing of pictures as the reproduction is too poor.
Response to a positive letter from ME, which was sent in response to JH's sending her portions of his essay on light.
Informs WS that JH located Encke's Comet the previous night, and gives the location.
Comments on a paper about differential calculus, prepared by Mr. Knight, which JH confesses he does not understand. Adds some astronomical observations JH made at Slough before leaving there, and noting the appearance of J. F. Encke's Berlin Ephemeris concludes with 'England is fated to lag in the rear of all her neighbours—at least in science.'
A letter of introduction to AQ on behalf of John Franklin [famous explorer of the Northwest Passage].
Sends letter from [George] Gipps. WR wants to assists Gipps in astronomical pursuits. Asks JH for assistance.
WR's testimonials must be sent to America before further action can be taken. Asks JH for recommendation.
Requests particulars concerning the electors for position at University of Virginia for which William Ritchie has applied. Encloses Ritchie's letter of 1827-12-6.
Has not heard from [University of Virginia]. Position of lecturer in mathematics and natural philosophy has opened at Dollar Institution in Edinburgh. WR asks for recommendation for the position from JH.
Has not heard from America. Discusses paper on electric conduction. Wishes to move further south. Thanks JH for securing WR's election to R.S.L.
[Edward] Sabine's letter confirmed WR's membership in R.S.L. Feel he was ill-used by Dollar Institution. Apologizes for trouble he caused JH.
Introduces [Dionysius] Lardner, who is a mathematician. Asks how [John] Brinkley's collimators succeeded.
Sends copy of his account of the achromatic telescope because JH did not receive the original. Constructing an achromatic telescope of 5-foot focal length.
Recently received telescope from the optician. Some adjustments are necessary. [Robert] Blair has a similar idea regarding telescopes. Asks JH to mention his idea to the Astronomical Society.