Describes three-year magnetic survey proposed by R.S.L. Asks H.E.I.C. court of directors to provide support for three observing stations: at Madras, at Bombay, and in Himalayas. Humphrey Lloyd will supervise training of observers.
Sends a sample picture fixed by use of iodine [potash].
More photography comments. Problems with use of hyposulfite fixer. Superiority of English over Daguerreotype in being able to make copies.
In R.S.L.'s request to H.E.I.C. court of directors for support for magnetic survey in India, Lord Northampton omitted to stress need for training TJ and other officers in use of special instruments.
Let India Board move at its own pace, and do not call on Lord Northampton. JH will write privately to 'Major J.' to suggest proper training for appointed observers.
Thanks WH for the bulbs, seeds, and a book, which he sent from South Africa. JH describes how well the tubers that JH brought back from South Africa are doing. JH complains about the weather in England. Sends WH a specimen of a plant 'photograph' made with W. H. F. Talbot's newly devised system.
Encloses description of two magnetometers approved by Humphrey Lloyd, and proposes to make these for £70.
Does not have operational telescope. Suggests WS set 1840 as epoch.
Sends extracts of solar spots observations by [E.] Capocci. JR will be in London on his way to Paris. Asks if JH would like to accompany him to an exposition.
About the question of an astronomer for a vacant position at Kew Observatory.
Sends documents with earliest suggestion of Antarctic magnetic variation. Also sends letter from [A. T.] Kupffer. Materials received from [Adolphe] Quetelet, Prague, and Milan. All sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd.
Asks JH if he would like the Meteorological Committee to meet before R.S.L. Council meets. Having received news that the wife of [Thomas] Spring Rice, the person in charge of the fixed observations, is 'dangerously ill,' ES proposes that responsibility of the project be moved to one of the executive departments.
Informs JH that a meteorological committee has been called. Discusses financial matters concerning the fixed observatories. Has written to [Thomas] Spring Rice.
Reports that the precept has been sent for putting the fixed magnetic observatories at St. Helena, the Cape, and Canada into execution, and that the instruments for three Indian observatories have been ordered. Writes that Humphrey Lloyd has made plans for the portable buildings and fixed stations. Discusses expenses of the observatories.
Reports his successful meeting with Hussey Vivian, whose full support of the fixed observatories is to be communicated to the R.S.L. Council by ES. Says that Vivian desires to read the memorials of the B.A.A.S. and the R.S.L. Will look into the changes in design of the magnetometers. Suggests budgets for the observatories.
Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of ES's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by ES.
Encloses a copy of financial estimates concerning the fixed observatories. Expects bills will be paid by the Treasury. Has conveyed Hussey Vivian's support of the project to the Council of the R.S.L. Clarifies that no vertical magnetometers have been or will be ordered until Humphrey Lloyd is satisfied with their design. Reports that the three officers have been selected for the project. Mentions praise from C. F. Gauss for the project.
Reports that the original cost estimate of the magnetometers was low and that other instruments have been ordered. Asks to borrow clocks from the R.S.L. and the R.A.S. Has written to Major Jarvis for observers for the East Indies observatories but expects none will be found.
Suggests changes in the memorial regarding fixed observatories.
Favors C. F. Gauss's theory of two magnetic poles, provided it satisfies the data. Office of the Artillery at Woolwich plans to 'furnish a set of instruments by private subscription.' Suggests a staff officer be appointed for the correspondence between observatories. Worries that the East Indies observatory will fail.