[Letter appears to be a response to some criticisms by JH of BV's paper on Encke's comet submitted to the R.A.S.] Deals with the density of the comet's nebulosity and with the effect of the comet's approach to perihelion, gives estimates of the comet's magnitude, and comments on the behavior of gases.
Read JH's letter to [Felix] Booth regarding magnetic observations in Europe. Describes WB's building and instruments for magnetic observations. Wants information about German observations.
Lord Melbourne [William Lamb] will meet next Wednesday at 4 o'clock with deputation [from R.S.L. regarding Antarctic expedition]. Duke of Sussex is willing to meet with R.S.L. council next Saturday at SC's house.
Lord Melbourne [William Lamb] changed meeting [with R.S.L. deputation] to 4:30.
Admiralty assigned Erebus and Terror to Antarctic expedition. Asks JH and Lord Northampton to request approval from Treasury for procurement of scientific instruments. Wants to consult with JH soon.
Wants to order three complete sets of magnetic and meteorological instruments for observations at St. Helena, at Cape of Good Hope, and aboard expedition ships. Admiralty cannot furnish instruments. Asks JH to continue efforts to obtain authorization from Treasury.
Thanks for specimen of light sensitive paper. Provides hint on the chemical process that Louis Daguerre may have used in his photographic work. Sends specimens of JH's own work.
Describes method of varying the size of photographic images. Praises Talbot's light sensitive paper and suggests improvements regarding it. Complains about persons too ready to seek a patent.
Strongly urges JH to support employment of artillery men in the St. Helena and Canada fixed observatories, citing the approval of the private secretary. Reports that four sets of magnetic instruments have been ordered.
Asks JH to read enclosed item and send it to [J. F.] Daniell, who in turn will send it to John Phillips, so that they might be ready to reply to the Council.
Speaks of his meeting with the acting general of artillery and the master general secretary, who approved of employing men and engineers in the fixed observation work in St. Helena and Canada. Encloses the remainder of the translation of C. F. Gauss's first volume.
Humphrey Lloyd has asked for magnetometers, assuming that the 'Authority' approves of the instruments. Remarks that Lloyd's observatory will be ready for visitors in late June and that Lloyd plans to go to the continent in July. States nothing more can be done regarding the selection of employees until the Authority acts. Believes an application will have to be made to the R.S.L.
Encloses a paper. Says C. F. Gauss will make six magnetometers in two months.
Discusses prospects for meteorological committee of B.A.A.S., on which they both will serve. Lacks time for it. Does not need hourly observations made by Committee of Physico-Mathematical Society of Edinburgh.
On instruments for fixed stations. Fears that naval expedition will be detained.
Prepared to send to CH copies of the Index to John Flamsteed.
Outraged over a [London] Times report of a massacre at Fort Natal in the Cape colony, which AS believes cannot be true; backs up his belief with a letter from a soldier at Fort Natal. Will take a business trip to Holland after which he 'will be ready for anything the Government may please.'
Discusses need for barometric observations; asks if JH has plans to build a barometer.
Informs JH that JH has been recommended to the Queen for the Commission of Peace.
Making his last experiments on the morrow. Travels to and from Slough in the course of his experiments. Hopes JH will join him.