Wishes JH well on his upcoming trip to the Cape of Good Hope. Asks JH to study the lower part of the Scorpion, for William Herschel was mystified by the 'uncommon appearance of that part of the heavens.' [Written as a postscript to a letter by Margaret Herschel.]
Received £500 from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) for reduction under the direction of G. B. Airy of earlier planetary observations. Althorp conferred with Lord Grey. Conjectures possible need of a larger grant.
Has received a note from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) stating that a grant of £500 is available for them [R.A.S.?]. He has acknowledged it.
JH has written to James South again [see JH's 1833-7-8] but has received no answer; is suggesting that it may well be that [R. A.] Cauchoix, the French optician, can supply object glasses as good as those James South has.
[Extract from a letter of this date to James South:] Tells FA that FA's magnetic experiments have been successfully repeated in England by Peter Barlow, Samuel Christie, Charles Babbage, and JH. Gives details. Publication in process.
Hears that Thomas Henderson is in town and thinks of bringing him down to Slough. Intends to take some iron bedsteads to the Cape; can JH advise him where they may be obtained?
Agrees with JH to go direct to the French optician [see JH's 1833-8-9] for a large object glass; HP will provide a telescope with such a lens if G. B. Airy agrees such a large telescope is appropriate to Cambridge Observatory.
Has written two letters from the Cape. Arrived three days ago. Will shortly proceed to Edinburgh. Has left the barometer on the ship. Compared this barometer with the one at St. Helena.
Sends letter from 'chronometer expedition' in Baltic Sea under the leadership of [T. F.] Schubert and supported by the Prussian, Danish, and Swedish governments. Mentions talk written for a larger audience in French publication. Envies JH's opportunity to observe the southern hemisphere.
Business matters calls him to London and would be happy to make his acquaintance. Will visit Slough if necessary.
Encourages GA to consider favorably the offer of Hugh Percy [Duke of Northumberland] of donating a telescope to Cambridge Observatory.
Arranges to meet TH, probably at Slough, and also to get a barometer from TH.
Hopes that JH will accept a copy of JN's work [on the history of astronomy]. Wishes JH all success in his forthcoming mission [to the Cape].
Offers a paper ['Note sur la manière d'agir de l'acide nitrique sur le fer,' Annales de chimie, 54 (1833), 87-94] for publication in Annales de chimie. Informs FA how to correspond with JH while JH is at the Cape.
Copy of letter to Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland) stating that the Duke's offer of a refracting telescope of great power, to Cambridge Observatory would be a valuable gift. To JH: Remarks on gift of telescope, planet reduction money, and on his geological exploration of the Charnwood Forest.
Invites CW to Slough to demonstrate CW's 'elegant experiments on light & sound.' Will need time to get JH's electric machine in order. Asks for copy of CW's paper on Jew's harp.
Has just arrived in London and will proceed to Slough tomorrow in the company of William Lassell.
Accepts JH's invitation to demonstrate [on 28 Aug.] CW's portable optical and acoustical experiments and the 'whirling machine.' Asks JH to supply 'an electrical machine and a good sized jar.' Encloses copy of CW's paper on Jew's harp. Will bring another paper and new 'Symphonion' for Mary Herschel.
Pleased to hear of JH's success with his application to the Treasury. Would like a statement from him on the nature of his communication to the Cambridge meeting concerning the actinometer. Hopes he is not too busy preparing for his voyage.
Has been residing with [Robert?] Lee at Hartwell for a few days. Hears that JH and Benjamin D'Urban will be travelling to the Cape on the Elphinstone; is this true?