Urges that JS not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on JS's relations with John Pond.
Writing to JH [then travelling in Europe], JS informs him that JS is moving to Paris. Comments on his plans for his observatory in Paris and on recent events in England regarding astronomers and instruments.
Feels he has pledged to the public to continue double star observation. Encourages JH to persevere as well. Offers JH use of his 5-foot refracting telescope. Asks about Fraunhofer telescopes.
Does not share JS's feeling of having pledged to continue double star observation. Reports on the high quality of the telescopes manufactured by Josef Fraunhofer.
Will be pleased to correct the proof copy of JS's paper on double stars. Mentions Charles Babbage and Edward Troughton.
Reports on his life in France and on details in the paper JS and JH were publishing on double stars.
Has examined Edward Sabine's transit measurements; finds them unproblematic.
Has represented JS's interests as best JH can regarding JS's proposal. Describes himself as unskillful in such representations.
Defends Edward Sabine's transit observations, noting that JH supports them on practical rather than theoretical grounds.
Reports on some observations from JS's observatory near Paris and on his contacts with the Paris Observatory. Relays to JH a request from Alexander von Humboldt for barometric observations. Invites JH to visit.
Making, reducing, and publishing double star work is very difficult and, because of Wilhelm Struve's recent endeavors, less pressing than it had been. Mentions various doubles. Expresses interest in JS's plan to purchase a very large refractor.
On the eloges of William Herschel being prepared by François Arago and J. B. Fourier. JH's and JS's work on double stars much appreciated among French astronomers. On Alexis Bouvard, Arago, and other French astronomers. On Wilhelm Struve's observations of double stars.
Agrees to purchase JS's 7-foot refractor if no other reasonable offer made, but doubts he would use it extensively. Plans to concentrate on observing nebulae with JH's reflector at Slough. Relays regards and question for P. S. Laplace.
On the transmission of materials between JH and JS. On their joint observations.
Has been making observations as JH requested of the star 70 Ophiuchi. Argues for the accuracy of observations of double stars that JH and JS have made.
Is sending materials to JH. Reports on continued efforts to observe the star 70 Ophiuchi. Has sighted three nebulae that may be unknown to JH.
If you can send a copy of our paper on double stars immediately, it seems certain that the Academy will award a medal for it. Informs JH of most expeditious method of sending same.
Has received materials sent by JS. Printing of paper by JS and JH on double stars is nearly completed. Urges that the issue is not whether the observations of 70 Ophiuchi made by Wilhelm Struve are better than those made by JH and JS; the issue is truth. Caroline Herschel has sent to JH a catalogue of his father's observation. Busy observing nebulae.
The Academy has decided to award JH and JS its astronomy prize for their paper on double stars.
Has returned from London. A preprint of JS's and JH's paper on double stars has been delivered to François Arago. Is finding many errata in their paper. Has received a letter from Josef Fraunhofer and the paper [on double stars] of Wilhelm Struve.