Testimonial to professional service rendered to Mint by G. F. G. Mathison, contractor for melting and refining gold and silver bullion.
Testimonial to professional service rendered to Mint by G. F. G. Mathison, contractor for melting and refining gold and silver bullion.
Can [?] write memorial to Treasury that embodies main objects of proposed national institution? Indicate number and kind of instrumental trials needed to prepare for future expeditions. JH will be in London next Thursday; call committee meeting then. Send reply to JH care of E. Mackintosh at 17 Montague Square by Wednesday.
Needs more time to consider R. L. Sheil's proposal for Mint reforms.
Received formal notice that MH will be voted to membership in Royal Institution on 3 Mar. John Barlow will reserve seats for daughters Caroline and Isabella. JH has tickets to Institution lectures. Son William's exams with W. T. Hooper [at Haileybury College] yesterday. Family finances.
Makes proposals about decimal coinage, based on one thousand units in the sovereign.
Describes son William's entrance exam to Haileybury College yesterday and procedure of announcing results. Assured by [H.E.I.C. director] W. H. C. Plowden that William's assignment can be changed from Madras to Bombay. W. H. Fitton delivered 'Umbrella and [Panel?]' last night. Daily News criticized JH for inaction. Promoting decimal coinage. Mint is in crisis.
Asks about policy at Royal Dockyards for paying workmen on major holidays. [JH annotation: Summary of WH's reply, with procedures for specific holidays or leaves.]
About JH's poor health; mentions discovery of two asteroids and new rings of Saturn.
Approves reforms suggested by R. L. Sheil. Suggests using Assay department to assay foreign coins during quiet periods. Recommends introducing new coin weighing machine by Mr. Cotton to inspect every coin, not just random samples. Expects difficulty in eliminating private artistic work of William Wyon, chief engraver.
Record of JH and H. D. Harness witnessing turning of matrix of Waterloo Medal by Benedetto Pistrucci. Harness affirmed R. L. Sheil's official release of Pistrucci from responsibility if matrix breaks.
Wants GA's opinion about applying for a pension for the widow of the late astronomer at Madras, T. G. Taylor.
Needs to know how much gold from California has entered England.
Asks that JC hold JH excused from appearing tomorrow, because JH has a severe cold.
Does not believe JH can help RH in some delicate matter. JH talks about photographic chemistry, including passing on information from A. C. Becquerel.
Letter from Benedetto Pistrucci incorrectly quotes JH as stating that no Mint officer except Pistrucci is capable of handling dies. W. T. Brande may interpret this as lack of JH's confidence in Brande's abilities.
Wants BP's opinion on the number of casts that should be made for medal.
Seeks to coordinate WW's and Frederick Beechey's contributions to JH's Admiralty Manual.
Suggests how to reconcile WW's directions for tidal observation with those provided by Frederick Beechey for JH's Admiralty Manual. Thanks WW for and comments on his publication on political economy. Asks WW for views on decimal coinage.
Asks that Louisa Herschel be admitted to attend James Forbes's lectures.
Assures HB that transitional state of Assay department will soon be replaced by more permanent conditions.