No summary available.
No summary available.
Letter of condolence after death of Caroline Herschel; comments on Herschel family accomplishments in astronomy.
Asks Archbishop of Canterbury [William Howley] to accept JH's resignation. Impossible to give adequate attention to JH's duties as trustee [of British Museum].
JDH gives his opinion of John McClelland [JMC], his efforts to prepare William Griffith's [WG] work for publication & the changes he is making to the East India Company Botanical Garden, Calcutta [Kolkata]. Mentions four monuments in the Garden: to General Kyd, to Roxburgh, to Jack & to Griffith & some of the most beautiful plants: palms, mahogany, Terminalis, Naucleas, DIllenias & Tectona grandis. Government are nervous about the management of the Garden as Nathaniel Wallich [NW] was not cooperative as Superintendant . JDH is hopeful for the Garden under Hugh Falconer. JDH is complementary about WG's drawings, which are being lithographed & comments on the extent & quality of his writings & maps. WG's published work will represent mosses & Hepaticae, grasses & Cyperaceae, other phaenogamae, & new or rare species, not ferns. WJH should have got WG's fern specimens from Bootan [Bhutan], Mishmee [Mishmi] & Ava[?]. JMC is also lithographing a Wallich catalogue. Gives his opinion of WG. JDH recounts a discussion with George Gardener about why WJH fell out with Fielding. Discusses: his supplies, including paper; the transportation of live plants to India for Sir L. Peel; & material for the Niger Flora. Mentions Mr Philips, Lord Auckland, Mr Colville, Mr Brown, Aunt Palgrave, Colonel Lawrence political resident at Lahore & Sir H. Willock. Discusses mosses returned by Wilson. Outlines his plan to travel with the geological surveyor Williams, previously companion to Henry Thomas De la Beche. The route will encompass Burdwan, Dermooda Valley, Soane river, Arungabad, Vindhya hills, Bijiggur & Chunar or Mirzapore. Describes how he will travel, the servants he will have & equipment they will carry. Mentions collecting around Calcutta & is surprised by the lack of mosses, Hepaticae, fungi & orchids. He hopes to get an Amherstia. JDH will go to Darjeeling in Mar. JDH conveys what he knows about members of the Ladakh expedition: Major Cunningham, Strachey & Thomas Thomson.
The packet from the Admiralty was not the manuscript; that will follow speedily. Regrets any anxiety caused.
Proposes changes in the buildings at the Royal Observatory to accommodate the shifting of one of the telescopes [see GA's 1848-1-6].
Looks forward to seeing AS at Norwich. Hopes he is recovering. Caroline Herschel has died.
Comments on all of GA's instructions for ship's officers [see JH's 1848-1-10], mostly suggesting some additions about meteor showers.
Thinks the building changes proposed [see GA's 1848-1-21] are fine; explains JH's position on the whole matter.
Sending particulars concerning George Everest's Arc of Meridian. Would be glad if they could be returned when he has read them as he intends writing an article on them for Taylor's Journal.
Has sent his observations on Saturn and Neptune to the R.A.S. and encloses a copy for JH. Weather has been unsuitable for many observations recently. Has not heard of any observations of a second satellite of Neptune.
Enclosing details of the proposed testimonial for meritorious work in astronomy. Would like confirmation of the date of birth of JH's aunt.
Accepts invitation to Norwich. For Geological Instructions, JH will wait to hear from [George Eden,] Lord Auckland. If necessary, he will consult [Charles] Darwin regarding the Instructions.
[S. J. A. Compton,] Lord Northampton will resign as president of R.S.L. ES discusses proposed changes in office of president, and asks JH to consider taking the office under the newly proposed changes.
No summary available.
Informs ES [President of the Royal College of Surgeons] that JH is unable to attend the Hunterian Oration and the dinner.
Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that ES and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'
The memoir of JH's aunt is forthcoming. Comments on old and new style in calendars.
No summary available.
Some comments about dates related to JH's aunt Caroline Herschel.