Is sending Volume 10 of the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Is sending Volume 10 of the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Informs WDF of a shipment of birds ready to be sent by Baker.
Urges WDF to read Herschel’s essay [A preliminary discourse on the study of natural philosophy (1830)] in Lardner’s [Cabinet] Cyclopedia.
Has recently sent him a book and letter and wonders if he has received it. Congratulations on his recent honors. If he has the book perhaps he would look at certain passages.
Regarding the affair of Charles Babbage and William Fitton's pamphlet. Would like JH to dine with him and William Whewell to discuss various matters. JH's book is popular at Cambridge.
Thanks WW for sending Richard Jones's new book and comments on it. Comments on WW's 'Science of the English Universities' and WW's review of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology. Has heard that WW is reviewing JH's Prelim. Discourse.
Praises and comments on RJ's book on economics [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Laments overly strong language used by William Fitton and Charles Babbage in criticizing R.S.L. Comments on JH having lost the election for R.S.L. presidency.
Sending more ale. Abandoning AR's theory of comets coming from solar volcanoes, although he thinks it is somewhat consistent with observed phenomena of solar spots.
Has been obtaining information for his report on the observatories. Is JH's paper ready to be printed? Will be able to economize on the printing of the Greenwich Observations.
Received HG's memoir of Thomas Young. JH's manuscript must be destroyed and all printer type taken down. Any deeper critique of Young's writings would be improper and would only become stronger, further hurting Mrs. Young's feelings.
Has just found out that the government has approached the R.S.L. as to the usefulness and chances of success of his machine. Hopes that if JH is appointed he will not become involved in the committees of the R.S.L. Has been deciphering a cipher.
No summary available.
Would prefer not to write a popular account of William Herschel and his work which DL has requested; JH has always intended to produce a major volume on the life and work of his father.
More on the observations and publication of results of the Greenwich Observatory [see JH's 1831-2-10].
Is writing to inquire about the copyright status of some earlier writings for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana; JH is considering collecting some of these early writings, together with others, for a separate publication.
JH writes to excuse himself from a meeting the following day at which Charles Babbage's calculating engine will be discussed.
Would not write anything to make JH change his mind over the proposed biography of Sir William Herschel. Thinks there is room for a popular and more serious study of Sir William. Has received good reports of JH's Discourse. Has not had a chance of seeing William Whewell yet.
Describes JL's self education in grinding compound lenses and devising trials for testing these for spectacles.
No summary available.
Expressing appreciation of JH's book on philosophy.
Received JH's 'Fourth Series of Observations...' [1831] on double stars. Donated it to College library.