Is trying to establish the nature of C. I. Gerhardt's request about letters of G. W. Leibniz.
Is trying to establish the nature of C. I. Gerhardt's request about letters of G. W. Leibniz.
Caroline Herschel, JH's aunt, is very ill, and not expected to live much longer. AK expresses some concern about some financial matters.
Some small disagreement about the bill for the refractor [see GM's 1847-10-16].
Informs JH that RS will present a case for more than one medal to be awarded.
[Responding to JR's 1847-12-28], JH gives advice where to buy actinometers and what features to look for. JH cannot advise about hygrometers as these are to be used in very cold climates.
Provides details about where to buy actinometers, and what type to buy.
Sends Principles of Natural Philosophy from the Swedenborg Association. Published nearly one century earlier, its contents should interest JH. Contains a nebular theory commonly attributed to [P. S.] Laplace.
Now commanding the Herefordshire. All navigators must prove their competency. Asks JH for such a certificate.
Asks: for name of instrument maker JH recommends for construction of actinometers; which hydrogrameters should be taken to Mackenzie's River; and whether JH has any experiments he would like done in America.
Preparing instruments and instructions for various expeditions. Discusses ES's wife's translation of [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos and the [R.S.L.] Council.
Discusses the meteorological observations made on board the Pagoda, particularly the effect of latitude and longitude on barometric readings.
Received memorandum from JH concerning magnetic instruments and instructions for their use. Happy to comply with Lordship's request for general instructions for magnetic instruments. Received meteorological observations from around the world.
Invites AS to Collingwood for Christmas. The Somervilles and the Adamses will also be present.
Will edit a manual [Admiralty Manual] of Scientific Desiderata and Queries as requested by [George Eden,] Lord Auckland. Is AS preparing any material for this work? What is its content and when will it be ready?
Thanks JH for letter of 7 December, inviting him to Collingwood for Christmas. Apologizes for not coming. Received bad domestic news and was robbed. Will testify at Old Bailey.
Has been requested to prepare a manual of scientific instructions for the use of ship's officers, and is asking GA to prepare a section on astronomy.
Is willing to assist JH, but feels that the Admiralty must instruct GA to do so [see JH's 1847-12-23].
Advice as to best way to present JL's method of calculating the orbits of comets to R.A.S. If JL desires R.A.S. to undertake calculations, might be some difficulty.
Asks whether JL wishes to present method [see JH's 1847-12-4] at next R.A.S. meeting.
John Lubbock entitled to bring his proposal before R.A.S., and to the best advice they can give, but the idea of explaining new views on physical astronomy strikes RS as 'objectionable' in principle. No one will understand his presentation. How to proceed with this. RS's work on the standard yard.