Asks DB to sign a certificate for the candidature of William Ritchie for admission to R.S.L.
Asks DB to sign a certificate for the candidature of William Ritchie for admission to R.S.L.
Would have answered his last letter sooner but has been confined to his house. Encloses specimen of calcareous spar. Has in the past carried out many experiments on this substance. Is he satisfied with a statement in the Optical Glass report? Missing Transactions for the library.
Sending DB a draft of a paper; comments on quality of a chromatic lens (that of [Charles] Tulley's telescope using Pierre Guinand's glass).
Thanks for paper on light, which he has only just read as it was mislaid. Grateful for the acknowledgement of his scientific labors. Comments and queries regarding the paper in the light of his own experiments. Wishes to reprint parts of it so would be grateful for several plates.
Regarding JH's letter concerning an anonymous article, which appeared in the Edinburgh Review and was actually by DB himself.
Having now learned that the offensive article in the Edinburgh Review was by DB [see DB's 1831-12-1], JH writes in surprise that DB could have written what he did, and requests that JH's letter [see JH's 1831-11-25] be returned unpublished. JH will decide how to proceed.
Further regarding his recent statements. Concerning JH's non-use of F.R.S. in his work.
Is pleased with Mr. Johnston's reply. Regarding a figure used by JH in his paper and its true significance. Is not certain yet whether to join the B.A.A.S.
His son is shortly traveling to Calcutta and will be able to take any letter or parcel for Mr. Calder.
Excusing JH for returning to Slough suddenly before leaving for Hanover.
Regarding DB's views on support for JH in the presidency of the R.S.L.
Regarding his request for JH's support for his candidature for the chair of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University. Reasons why he thinks JH should give him a testimonial.
Gratitude for gift of JH's Cape Results, not yet received. Send copy for [St. Andrews] University through Smith, Elder & Co., booksellers to the university. Concurs with JH on names for asteroids.
Received Dr. [T. R.] Robinson's memorial to John Russell. Believes six-foot reflector could have been obtained as easily as a three-foot reflector.
Asks DB to write a paragraph explaining the novelty of the photographic process of '[Andrew?] Ross and [Thomas?] Thomson' as distinct from [Nicéphore] Niépce's albuminous process.
Is sending an unpublished pamphlet on dioptric lights and would be glad of his opinions as he is claiming public recognition.
Thanks for his letter regarding the dioptric lights. Gives his own views as to their importance.
Has heard that he has been suffering from the cramp and suggests a few remedies that he himself has found beneficial.