Requests permission to pay Mint expenses from special account until Parliamentary grant becomes 'available.'
Requests permission to pay Mint expenses from special account until Parliamentary grant becomes 'available.'
Thanks for his articles on the prediction of time; comments on it. Has been translating an article of John Tyndall.
Requests permission from Treasury to draw from Master's account at Bank [of England] to cover expenses that cannot be paid from depleted Exchequer account before 31 Mar., when Parliamentary grant for next fiscal year becomes available.
Rapid changes in science leave JH unable to recommend newest things in organic chemistry. Suggests works by H. V. Regnault or Justus von Liebig, and Lyon Playfair's work on chemistry of foods. Notes error in Liebig's work on body chemistry.
Saw in the Times that JH is working on universal alphabet. Sends Wolfgang Kempelen's book (1791) on mechanism of speech. Speculates on machine that could produce phonetic sounds for universal language.
Unable to attend today's conference on replacing present system of English writing with phonetic system such as 'Missionary Alphabet.' Hopes no final conclusions will be drawn without opportunity for further discussion. Gives JH's opinions and objections. Contrasts systems proposed by [Charles] Trevelyan, [J. B.] Gilchrist, and [Thomas] Young.
Family news and comments.
Requests donation of copy of JH's Cape Results to library of Mechanics Institution.
Notes deficit in Coining Room between 23 and 28 Jan.. Following enquiries in December into similar shortages, JH now requires that WB submit written reports of daily accounts.
Sending diagrams of Halley's Comet traced from a work, The Orbs of Heaven.
Very depressed and concerned about the family finances, both short and long term.
Has recovered from his depression [see JH's 1854-2-1]; sees a possibility of a new position as a Civil Service appointment examiner.
JH feels harassed by life and finds solace in MH's letters; thinks electricity could operate the Jacquard loom and the pianoforte. Argues against a recent book [William Whewell's Of the Plurality of Worlds], which claims the earth is the only inhabited body in the universe.
Comments on Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay. Suspects it is by WW. Disagrees with many parts, but finds some sections 'striking.' Laments that he has no time for intellectual matters, punning that he must concentrate on 'making money.'
Considers the education of the lower orders an honorable object, but has never given a public lecture and feels unable to assist.
Send books from Cutting Room. JH wants to question W. H. Barton about deficits in Coining Room. [Two assistants] will be in on Monday.
Invites JH to dine quietly with MS and the [11th] Duke of Somerset [E. A. Seymour], who is in 'delicate health.'
Please confirm that duties of appointment, which JH and CT discussed today, will permit residing outside London.
Appoints Mr. Hill, senior clerk in Mint office, to replace Mr. Julyan as superintendent of copper coinage at Birmingham.
Second payment by Bank of Ireland for copper coins received from Mint.