Extensive comments on the type and construction of telescope to be supplied to Melbourne University.
Extensive comments on the type and construction of telescope to be supplied to Melbourne University.
[Rough draft (1p) crossed out, followed by:] Confidential propostion that G. B. Airy submitted to Board of Visitors is inappropriate. Queen's warrant does not empower Board to consider such matters.
Objects to Board of Visitors acting as 'self-constituted Court-Martial' to examine personal conduct of Board's chairman [James South], whom G. B. Airy no longer recognizes as competent. [JH notes that he did not send this letter, but kept it because it gave the reasons behind the shorter form [TxU:H/L-0374], which he preferred.]
Agrees that the pendulum should be observed at major Indian stations because Russians did not avail themselves of offered vacuum apparatus and pendulums.
Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.
Supports G. P. Bond of Harvard College for foreign membership of R.S.L.; proposes H. E. Sainte-Claire Deville for the Rumford Medal, for his development of a high temperature laboratory furnace applied to metallurgy and the 'disseverance' of the hydrogen and oxygen of water.
No summary available.
Accepts invitation to dine with ES. Working on sixth edition of Outlines Astr. Has sent argument against converting to metric system to Leeds.
No summary available.
Had hoped to attend ES's soiree, but has influenza. Praises ES's report on Mr. McClintock's magnetic observations at Port Barrow.
Pendulum experiments to be conducted at stations of Great Indian Trigonometrical Survey.
Plans to confer with [J. T.] Walker and F. A. T. Winnecke from Pulkovo to learn of Russian pendulum experiments before reporting to R.S.L. council. J. H. Pratt's measurement of polar axis and theory about earth's center of gravity.
Gives reasons for and discusses technicalities of supporting pendulum experiments at astronomical and geodesical stations in Indian trigonometrical survey.
No summary available.
Thanks ES in connection with award [of Copley Medal].
No summary available.
No summary available.
Thanks ES for his "splendid eulogium" [in Presidential Address to Royal Society on award of Copley Medal]. CD would have liked him to have said "a little more" about Origin.
CD feels no doubt about natural selection. Has heard from Germany of "a string of excellent men" who accept it.
No summary available.