Receives copy of JH's Light. Invites him to Birmingham.
Showing 1–20 of 274 items
Receives copy of JH's Light. Invites him to Birmingham.
Details forgery case on which JH gave legal advice.
Understands his intellectual pursuits. Gives address of his son [Adelaide].
Sends [F. G. W.] Struve's observations on William Herschel's double stars because of JH's expressed interest in the work.
Sending plants collected during 3 month excursion with [George] Bentham in summer of 1825 to eastern and high Pyrenees; Bentham has published catalogue of the flora of Pyrenees. Plants sent include: 'Lithospermum oleifolium'; 'Vicia argentea'; 'Seseli montanum'; asks if 'Cynoglossum sylvaticum' of England is same as that of Hancke; asks the true character between 'Sideritis hyssopifolia' and 'Sideritis scordioides'; 'Veronica fruticulosa'; after observations fears 'Ajuga alpina', 'A. geneventis', and 'A. pyramidalis' form one species; 'Orobanche pruinosa'; at Strasbourg determined that 'Potamogeton cuspidatum' gathered near Forfar is identical with 'P. zosterifolius' Schum; observations on all. Smith may find it useful to have the French synonyms for British species; he would have found it useful to have references given to DeCandolle's works in determining Pyrenee plants.
Asks that list of errata be published before a committee meets to investigate 'the subject of Mr. Lee's [?] animadversions.'
It appears that J. T. Cooper would be willing to work in the performing of glass experiments. If this seems acceptable, then a meeting of the glass committee should be called.
Regarding various publications for distribution.
Will not attend council meeting. JH comments regarding the nomination for foreign membership [of R.S.L.?] of Teodoro Monticello.
Announcement of Baden Powell's election to the Savillian chair of Geometry.
Regarding the affairs of the R.S.L. and JH's intentions.
Thanks for turkey. The Duke of York in "the last stage of a hopeless case" [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), died 5 January 1827 of dropsy and apparent cardio-vascular disease]. Dares not mention the name he alluded to as the matter is not followed up, but it begins with an "H" [presumably the scandal involving a member of the Athenaeum mentioned in Goodenough's previous letter].
May not be able to separate double stars with the twenty foot reflector. Is reviewing nebulae. Regrets [Josef] Fraunhofer did not live to see WS's work. Speaks of standard catalogue of 2881 stars as joint labor of all observatories. Interested in bright stars with minute companions.
The state of the observatory after the death of Giuseppe Piazzi. Has been put on a permanent basis now. Instruments and books have been received. Send some mainsprings for the chronometers.
Thanks JH for proposing WR for R.S.L. Discusses construction of air pump. Trying to simplify construction of vacuum. Will be in London in March.
Sends his reasons for not writing. Includes results of his readings of Etna and observations of the comet.
Will do all he can to satisfy Smith with Cape 'Orchideae'. Has a young artist to make painting from live specimens, sending figure of 'Disperis villosa' [extant]. Believes a "very splendid" work could be made from having a painting of every Cape species in full flower, with Smith being sent dried specimens to provide full descriptions from; difficulty of transporting live plants back to England.
Has sent promised papers to Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician] describing new species each of 'Hyaena' and 'Hyrax'; observations on gland secretions of former; hopes Home will send them to Linnean Society and that they will be published in "Linnean Transactions". It is his ambition to produce a good work on zoology of South Africa. Many collectors currently here: 3 from Prussia, 3 from France, and 6 from other European countries. Lists some of the curiosities of his portfolio; he is particularly interested in snakes. Mode natural history is now studied makes it easier to notice habits of animals for classification.
Watercolour of 'Disperis villosa'.
Some R.S.L. business matters.
Talks about the glass experiments of John Dollond and Mr. Stanwood[?].
Asks WW to sign a certificate on behalf of the election of [William] Ritchie to the R.S.L. and to ask Adam Sedgwick to sign also.