Thanks for observations; comments on one of his own observations; notes imminent move to Collingwood and birth of seventh child.
Just received RP's Dec. 1837 observations, forwarded from Cape of Good Hope. JH is now president of R.S.L. joint committee of Physics and Meteorology. Meteor shower of 10 Aug. 1839. Describes global magnetic survey conducted on Göttingen Mean Time. Hopes U.S. will join survey. [Enclosure: Printed notice of global magnetic survey, listing participating governments, purposes, and instruments.]
Received the enclosed in August from Teodoro Monticelli but did not know how to forward it to JH. Would he return the letter when finished with.
Speaks of arrangements for magnetic observatories in India, in the Himalayas, and at Bombay. Discusses the locations and buildings of the sites. Wishes to add Singapore as an observatory station.
Americans plan to investigate laws of North American storms. U.S. government should apply to British if cooperation is desired. Thanks JH for letter recommending ES for royal medal. Hopes someone will work on scientific data collected by different governments.
Encloses a letter from Alexander von Humboldt to Lord Minto endorsing the idea of an international magnetic survey. Stresses the value of the letter.
Thomas Maclear has sent him another Cape meteorite. Believes that JH gave part of a meteorite to the B.M. so does not see why this one should be sent there.
Encloses notes. Has received JH's message about the action of the R.S.L. Council.
Has written to G. B. Airy about the Cavendish experiment and encloses his diagram and letter.
Encloses Humphrey Lloyd's plans for [magnetic] observation. Requests a reply.
Accepts invitation to party next Tuesday. Regrets not visiting more often at Cavendish Square or Hampstead. JH's wife and 'little one' are well.
Hopes to hear a good account of Lady Herschel and their little boy. If JH comes to luncheon on the 22nd he will be able to see the drawings of the Caucasus.
Claims the name 'meteorological committee' is misleading for a R.S.L. committee that handles all branches of observational physics. Suggests that physics be divided into 'Experimental and Terrestrial.'
Announces that copies of the observations are being sent by post and states that additions and corrections will be approved and added before the full report is submitted to the R.S.L. Council for authorization for printing. Agrees to write up the Meteorological Committee's annual report.
Encloses a letter to the Admiralty for JH's signature.
[Responding to GO's 1839-11-14], JH will come to the luncheon and meet GO's 'Illustrious Guest.' Will bring additions for Miss Ouseley's autograph collection. Margaret Herschel is recovering well [from birth of Maria Sophia].
Transmits a message from J. B. Biot, comments on the Daguerreotype, although WT has not tried it.
Further regarding the Cavendish experiments.
Agrees that in the R.S.L., Geology belongs under Terrestrial Physics, and would be there had it not its own committee. Says Terrestrial Magnetism no longer belongs under the head of Atmospheric Physics. Claims he plans to discontinue his membership in the R.S.L. if his committee is no longer in charge of terrestrial magnetism. Refers to the awarding of medals.
Compliments Georg Erman's map of the declination lines made from observations, which confirms C. F. Gauss's map derived by theory. Asks JH whether the map should be printed and attached to the R.S.L. report. Plans to see JH at Slough. Thinks the idea of there being two auroras, one in the west and one in the east, is interesting.