From:
George Peacock
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[19 March 1823]
Source of text:
RS:HS 13.285
Summary:
About matters relating to the building of the observatory.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
About matters relating to the building of the observatory.
Per JH's request, DW wrote to Alfred Chalon inquiring about miniature portraits. Quotes prices. Lists names of satisfied patrons.
No summary available.
Account of various fevers and inflammations suffered by himself, his youngest daughter, his wife, and maid-servant. Death of [Thomas] Purton's eldest son from pulmonary consumption, as well as his partner, who was to have been his son-in-law. Observed again the 'Byssus septica' in his cellar covering everything with particles. Gratified by Smith's remarks on Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora". Hopes to see Smith at one of their summer committees [of Apothecaries Company] in Chelsea.
Writes to acknowledge the receipt of a volume of the Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia.
WS was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Distributed books as WS directed. Will send JH's and James South's observations of double stars when printed. Neither Thomas Young nor William Herschel received WS's Dorpat observations.
[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] received parcel of seeds sent by Smith. Alarmed by account given of Smith's health, his own legs are inflamed and forming superficial abscesses. Had hoped to invite Smith to visit him in Bury on his way to London. Received letter from [Thomas] Rackett, an executor for David Garrick's widow [Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822)], offering to show him curiosities from Garrick's estate, and given a catalogue of Garrick's soon to be auctioned library; sketches and transcribes inscription of one of Garrick's book plates and comments on it. Received letter from his son in Rome, details their intended movements around Italy.
Asks directions for forwarding [Joseph] Sabine's supplemental paper on Chrysanthemums for Smith's observations, at request of Linnean Society Council.
Cannot conceive that anything written for the Linnean Society by [Joseph] Sabine can require his revision. Had hoped to be in London for 15 April but this will now be 1 May in order for him to finish second volume of his "[English] Flora" and to correct sheets of the first. Received "melancholy letter" from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]; hopes he is better, "great pressure of his work" prevents him from writing to his friends.
Apologizes for late reply. Includes news. Hopes to see JH in Berne in summer. Has forgotten price agreed on for object.
Received small cargo of Australian plants; sending one of each kind for Smith. Hopes to meet Smith in London in the summer.
Has read [Joseph] Sabine's paper and concurs with him in everything, except for minor changes to specific names. Sorry he gave Macleay "such a kettle of fish", had hoped it would be better. Hopes to be in London on 6 May [1823] but very unwell at present, being threatened with a pulmonary irritation and "a bad state of bowels". Macleay to "throw the Cornish paper aside if not quite worthy to appear".
The Germans are printing many of William Herschel's papers; comments that 'there does not pass a month but something appears in print.'
No summary available.
Sending Part XI of his own Mécanique céleste. Comments on this work.
JH's geological specimen is a piece of granular quartz, found in great quantities in Berks, Wilts, and Herts. JH promised to show him some of the garnets found by [J. S.?] Henslow in Anglesea.
Death of his mother following a sudden illness.
No summary available.
Too unwell with influenza to come to London for 6 May [1823], finds it "mortifying" after having been so well over the winter. Hopes to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, will stay at [Thomas] Forster's in Clapton, [Middlesex], so as to prepare for the London air, and only the Society will bring him to London this spring, as he must decline visits, sights, and lecturing. Just informed that [Antoine] Gouan of Montpellier, [France], has died. Afraid Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is ill, he wrote a "very melancholy" letter on death of his granddaughter.
Received Smith's letter of 30 April [1823], sorry to hear so bad an account of Smith's health, but reassures him that whatever he hears to the contrary, he has "steady friends in the Council". Hopes Smith can attend the audit as it is essenital for the President to attend. Asks if Smith has conferred with anyone about taking office of Secretary. [Antoine] Gouan has been dead several years and his FMLS place filled.