Showing 21–36 of 36 items
Has just received JH's circular. Was not fully aware of the labor involved in drawing up the Report of the Council. Needs a new edition of the part concerning the fixed observatories. Outlines method for new edition. Sabine should be responsible for the material on Magnetic Surveys.
Approves of proposal by A. T. Kupffer and Edward Sabine for international magnetic congress under JH's leadership. [Reply to JH's 1844-7-22 to HL.]
Not acquainted with proposal by A. T. Kupffer. Replies to queries by B.A.A.S. committee regarding continuation of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Expects self-registering instruments to supersede human observers soon.
Reviews establishment of H.E.I.C. observatories and comments on quality of magnetic and meteorological observations at Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Has heard nothing from A. B. Orlebar, director of Bombay observatory.
Activities at H.E.I.C. magnetic and meteorological observatories in Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Results from Simla, elevation 8000 feet, will complement high altitude observations in Europe. Vertical force instrument at Singapore is better than at all other stations, but high humidity there makes actinometer unreliable.
Responds to questions on magnetic circular sent out by JH [see JH's 1844-12-5]. Comments on continuing government funding for global system of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Suggests goals for future observers.
Proposed date for B.A.A.S. meeting creates difficulty for HL. Assurance that no one other than JH could have provided such vital leadership for global magnetic survey. Doubts that [James] McCullagh could serve committee well; suggests [J. D.] Forbes instead.
Did not realize his question would require so much of JH's valuable time to answer. Hopes to introduce some safe German Philosophy into the appropriate departments at Trinity College. Will look into the Lehrbuch.
Received his letter enclosing Edward Sabine's a few days ago on returning home. Busy at College; otherwise would have written. Could have attended a meeting of Committee of Physics had he known. Discovery of the new planet is a triumph. Has he heard of the attempt to destroy the telescope of William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse)?
No summary available.
Before he sends the 'Instructions' to the press would like to know if there is any objection to the use that he has made of JH's Admiralty Manual.
At the last meeting of the B.A.A.S. a resolution was adopted calling for the continuance of the Magnetical Observations. Would work through the joint R.S.L. and R.A.S. committees as before. Would JH agree to continue as chairman? Let him know at the Athenaeum where he returns in a few days.
Calls attention to vol. 3 of Toronto observations, where Edward Sabine, [T. R.] Robinson, and HL expressed their views on continuing magnetic observations. Emphasizes importance of discovering physical and mathematical laws that govern magnetic phenomena. Sufficient data already exist for this. Recommends continuing hourly observations for five more years at seven foreign observatories (listed). [JH note: Routing slip to B.A.A.S. committee, instructing each member to read and forward HL's recommendations.]
Forwarded JH's letter of 8 Aug. 1858 to members of magnetic committee, who will respond before B.A.A.S. meeting in Leeds next month. Asks that both committees meet jointly on first day. Edward Sabine is willing to superintend new series of observations proposed by JH.
Has not seen the paper in the Smithsonian Institution, but believes the author is in error. Has looked at A. L. Cauchy's Dispersion Memoir, but thinks Baden Powell's paper presents a more distinct formula. Hopes to send in a few weeks the first volume of HL's [Observations Made at the Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory at Trinity College, Dublin].
Comments that A. J. Fresnel's papers in the Annales de chimie are really incomplete sketches of theories, which he developed later. Theory clearly stated in [Felix] Billet's Traité d'optique physique. Friend of his at Trinity College has produced a peculiar liquid.