From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Charles Babbage
Date:
[Feb 1839 – Aug 1842]
Source of text:
The British Library (Add MS 37191: 298)
Summary:
Asks permission to bring Fanny Allen to CB’s party.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. Feb 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 14
Summary:
Discusses CD’s religious doubts. Fears his work may lead him to discount what cannot be proved, and advises that there are some things which, "if true are likely to be above our comprehension" and "that there is a danger in giving up revelation".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Beaufort
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
1 February [1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.404 (ACC: Hydrographic Office Letter Book)
Summary:
Inquires about appropriate person to add to the Cape Observatory staff, if FB can persuade the Admiralty of the need. Thanks JH for his comments on chloride of silver; were much better than W. H. F. Talbot's.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Charles Grant
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 February 1839]
Source of text:
UCT JH Letters A1.24
Summary:
CG (Lord Glenelg) raises questions about the suitability of Mr. Train for a position teaching in the government schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Unidentified
Date:
2] February [1839
Source of text:
unknown
Summary:
Mentions visit of 1 Feb. 1839 from W. H. Fox Talbot. Reports that JH has now 'accomp[lishe]d the whole problem [of photography].' Describes JH's recent results.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Fox Talbot
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 17.280
Summary:
More about paper being published in both the R.S.P.T. and Athenaeum.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
George Biddell Airy
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[3 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 1.76
Summary:
Further observations on the alterations at Cape Town Observatory. Any news of the measuring bars?
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Alexander Young Spearman, 1st baronet
Date:
4 Feb 1839
Source of text:
The National Archives (TNA) (T1/4524 paper 25824)
Summary:
Submits the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the third number of part two and second number of part three of the Zoology.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Stevens Henslow
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Feb 1839
Source of text:
DAR 204: 167
Summary:
Writes to CD as "Brother Benedick" and sends hearty good wishes for health and happiness in marriage. They are sending a little silver candlestick for a wax taper.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Heinrich Christian Schumacher
Date:
[7 February 1839]
Source of text:
NSUB Cod.Ms.Gauss 110
Summary:
Sends HS's observations of magnetic declination and dip near London for forwarding to Carl F. Gauss. Encloses a letter from Edward Sabine.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Fox Talbot
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 17.281a
Summary:
Questions JH's intent to display 'photogenic drawings' to R.S.L.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Reid
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 14.323
Summary:
Discusses own efforts in meteorology. Must wait to print second edition of work on storms. Appreciates nomination for R.S.L., but has little time for such pursuits.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Rowan Hamilton
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 February 1839]
Source of text:
unknown
Summary:
Asks JH to keep him updated on English research of the dynamics of light. Currently considering the 'propagation' of light waves, as distinguished from their mere 'preservation'; asks whether this is a new study.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Fox Talbot
Date:
[9 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 17.281b (C: RS:HS 22.2)
Summary:
Considerable comment on procedure for submitting paper to R.S.L. Urges WT to mention JH's method of washing with hyposulfite. Comments on some photographic experiments of WT.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Fox Talbot
Date:
[10 February 1839]
Source of text:
Science Museum Talbt 1/12 (draft 'much altered': RS:HS 17.281b & C: RS:HS 22.2
Summary:
JH welcomes WT's mentioning JH's method of fixing with hyposulfite. JH has put some of JH's images on display at R.S.L. Mentions JH's recent experiments relating to photography. Comments regarding a paper submitted to R.S.L. by WT and on some experiments of WT.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton
To:
Lord Northampton
Date:
11 February 1839
Source of text:
MM/12/45, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
From:
Roderick Impey Murchison
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[11 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.397
Summary:
Has a few pounds surplus from the subscription for JH's vase and wonders if it could be used to supply a plinth for the pedestal. Does JH agree? Perhaps Lady Herschel can supply the wording.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Fox Talbot
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[11 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 17.282
Summary:
Wants to withhold description of 'developing' process until it is perfected to obviate others using it. Also refers to second process to make 'positive' and 'negative.'
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Heinrich Christian Schumacher
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[12 February 1839]
Source of text:
RS:HS 15.383
Summary:
Asks permission to use information from JH's letter in Astronomische Nachrichten. Believes [Alexander von] Humboldt can explain observational anomalies that JH notes.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Fox Talbot
Date:
[12 February 1839]
Source of text:
Science Museum Talbt 1/13 (ACCS: RS:HS 25.5.12 & C: TxU:H/L-0474; Reel 1055)
Summary:
JH will as WT requests stop mentioning JH's hyposulfite fixing process and await publication of WT's process. Reports in detail on some of JH's experiments relating to photography and to spectrum analysis. [In a P.S. dated 1839-2-13,] JH states: 'I have discovered your secret of fixing [or its] equivalent.'
Contributor:
John Herschel Project