Asks correspondent if he would prefer the President’s signature alone or with those of other scientific men.
Asks correspondent if he would prefer the President’s signature alone or with those of other scientific men.
Will not be time to take the zenith sector to Klypfonteyn before JH's departure. Must finish work with the pendulum as it has to be returned to Francis Baily via JH. Will ride over on Sunday morning.
No summary available.
Urges against carrying up Table Mountain the zenith sector sent to TM to check N. L. Lacaille's measurement of a degree of terrestrial longitude. Comments on JH's skill with precision instruments.
Intended calling on JH today but legs and feet were too swollen. Has postponed his journey to Klypfonteyn until the first week in March, to make some alterations to the instrument. Is glad JH will visit the mountains with him. Believes the Thalia is about to sail soon. Formalhoet is now useless at noon.
Inviting the Herschels to dinner on Friday or Saturday.
Sends latest publications. Has received highly surprizing letter on meteors by Mr. Wood. Discusses 'famous apparitions.'
No summary available.
Received meteorite specimen. Michael Faraday will conduct analysis. Admiralty agrees to give TM an assistant. Finds a theodolite telescope for Cape Observatory.
Pleased with the observations and astronomical literature JH received from FS; JH is packing up for the return to England; comments on causes of variations in stellar magnitude and several other astronomical topics.
Impressed by CD’s theory [of earthworm action].
No summary available.
Presents, in response to a memorandum from JB, JH's views on such matters as the administration, staffing, and funding of the Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Encloses the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the first part of "The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle" [Fossil Mammalia].
No summary available.
Thanks JH for his long and insightful memorandum of 1838-2-17 on the system of Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Accepts many of JH's ideas and requests that JH, after returning to England, present JH's ideas to Lord Glenelg.
In view of the charges directed by Edward Blyth against George R. Gray for gross incivility and discourtesy in discharging his duties as assistant in the zoological department at the British Museum, CD is asked by the Trustees to comment upon his own experience with Gray and to offer his judgment of these charges.
Testifies to the courtesy and helpfulness of George Gray [assistant at the British Museum]. [See 402b.]
Payment of the Smith, Elder & Co. account has been ordered, amounting to the sum of £68.10.10 for the first part of the Zoology.
His work [on vol. 2 of Narrative] is going slowly.
Has no objection to anything in CD’s excellent volume. CD should "entertain no further scruple on that subject".