Regrets that she does not receive so many letters from him, even though she lives so much nearer. Comment on literature. News of Hardinge [J. C.'s child].
Has shown his letter to John Taylor and quotes the latter's opinion of JH. Views on the poetry of Taylor.
Sending a copy of the Torquay directory where Edward Vivian's comparison of thermometer readings are given. The climate of Torquay does not suit them; Mrs. Dawes is going north for a few weeks. Would like a comparison of the state of the weather for various parts of the country.
Sending a copy of the first part of his work on Heat.
Reply to RD's 1849-11-8.
[Responding to JF's 1849-11-23], JH cautiously discusses various considerations bearing on the idea of sending an astronomer and a large reflecting telescope to the Cape.
Is much better but has to take care. Francis Jeffrey (Lord Jeffrey) has taken over the editorial duties of the [Edinburgh] Review. Pleased to hear he is working on his paper. Will inquire about the average Englishman. W. H. Sykes and S. D. Poisson have published papers on this subject.
B.A.A.S. and Royal Society of Edinburgh have been approached to apply to the government for finance to send an observer and reflector to the Cape Observatory. Does JH think this advisable, with his knowledge of conditions at the Cape?
Agrees that it would be desirable to make further observations at the Cape, but foresees difficulties, especially liaison with the Astronomer Royal at the Cape.
Has received his note enclosing G. B. Airy's paper. Regrets any trouble he may have caused. Sends copies of his own paper for measuring heights by the barometer. Took some observations on the tides at Brodick and comments on William Whewell's statements concerning tides.
Wrote to Francis Russell (10th Duke of Bedford) about Thomas Maclear and encloses his reply. Has just framed JH's prints. Sends a few scraps. Hopes to visit G. G. Waldegrave (2nd Baron Radstock).
JDH writes to WJH, informing him that he & [Archibald] Campbell [AC] are prisoners of the Sikkim Rajah, but JDH does not fear for their safety. He describes their imprisonment & speculates as to the reasons for it. JDH has been copying out AC’s dispatches to Government & sends a copy of his journal for [Brian Houghton] Hodgson to forward to WJH. His friend Meepo remains loyal & will hopefully get this to Darjeeling so the military can bring about their release. JDH reassures WJH about his situation, & asks him to write to France Henslow & Aunt Palgrave. He has letters for Bentham, Berkeley & Darwin. He sympathises with AC’s wife. JDH asks if his Meconopsis have grown. He adds that Thomson will be at Darjeeling on the 20th.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Tells mother preparing for voyage to Rio Negro. We are first English to climb Monte Alegre. Explored remote cave, copied “curious writings on the rocks” inside. Indians dug up “water tortoise eggs” on river bank, which, with milk and farinha “made a very excellent meal.” Fired on “several immense alligators” in river. Have eaten alligator tail, parrot, and turtle. Met English botanist Richard Spruce here. Includes “enigma” riddle and a poem about “naked little children/with skins of every dye/Some black, some brown, some lighter/some white as you or I...a dozen such in family...Tis common in Brazil.
Spent 3 weeks at Montealegre, now back at Santarem nearly a month. Before leaving for Rio Negro, sending “small lot of insects…Lepidoptera.” Many new species, difficult to capture because they settle high in trees. Also sending Indian-made painted calabashes and small stuffed alligator.