Is sending a paper which has barometrical information of interest. Comments on sea and atmospheric pressure. William Whewell and J. W. Lubbock are working on the tides.
Sends formulae for dealing with the apparent differences, in viewing the comet and compared star, due to the effects of parallax and refraction.
Sorry for surprise in church yesterday. Last minute request for JH and wife [to be godparents] was unplanned. Notes on 'Parallax & refraction.' Will soon observe all stars in [F. W.] 'Bessel's zone.'
Discusses their table of comet stars.
Much obliged for F. W. Bessel's zone. Thinks his own extra meridian observations of the comet will be respectable. Feels sure Fearon Fallows could not have approved of the supports of the dome. Has been promised the pleasure of inspecting the expenses of the Observatory. Captain J. E. Alexander and Dr. John Murray will call this morning for a parting cup of tea.
JH has no need to apologize for bringing before him the case of Dr. Andrew Smith. Heard the news from Dr. John Murray. Will press Smith's request in the appropriate quarter. JH should address his request to Benjamin D'Urban.
Sending the meteorological reports. Hopes JH will let him know when to cease sending them. William Whewell has produced an interesting instrument. The sensation at the B.A.A.S. meeting was the manufacture of diamonds by a Frenchman.
Calms TM about not having his comet observations published yet; those published so far are not of much value.
Intends to dispatch the packet to the Admiralty in a few days and await Francis Beaufort's instructions regarding the printing. TM's son would be grateful for the Herschels' gift could he express thanks himself. Would like the loan of the actinometer. Sends the dome observations.
Received the print of JH with great pleasure. The picture by H. W. Pickersgill seems a truthful likeness. The bulbs have been planted and are thriving. Has just returned from the continent, where he visited Caroline Herschel, who is still well in mind, but weak in body. Church building progresses at Slough.
Returns copies of the Comet observations and the formula for parallax and refraction. The 21st was a busy circle day. The mural circle is in better trim than ever. Sends a chronometer.
Wants to reset his barometer by TM's.
Barometer is swinging without encountering any accident. Believes there is to be a new clergyman at Rondebosch, the old Observatory housekeeper, John Fry, shortly to land from England. Hopes he is more adept at sermons than he was arranging the catalogue of instruments.
Encloses the sweeps for June 1836, which JH lent him. Not a word about printing, or the Tide gauge in the letters he received. Will forward the letters from G. B. Airy and Francis Baily. Thomas Henderson is about to be married. Cannot procure white deal without knots. Will try an old mast.
Is very thankful for the meteorological observations sent to JH, and makes some suggestions for additional and continued observations.