Forwards a specimen of his cobalt. Gives price and the various methods of use and refining. Thinks the analysis did not show its true qualities. Would like to hear the results of JH's experiments.

Received Smith's letter of 28 [March 1825]; sorry to hear he has been suffering from a rheumatic complaint in his eyes. Pleased Smith is satisfied with the willows he has so far gathered for his Salicetum; has not yet acquired 'Salix glauca'. Going to London at the end of the month but will be in London before Smith leaves, and hopes he will prevail on Smith to come and see the willows in full leaf, though fears there will be errors in the names. His health better than it has been for some time past, though has suffered from severity of the protracted winter.

Pleased JH liked his paper on differential photometer. Discusses apparatus for experiments on light. Describes some papers he has written and some he is writing.

Edward Sabine's and JH's memoir on the differences of the meridian between Greenwich and Paris. Hopes to print a notice of the same operation with similar results. Operations last year between Paris and Brest were not a success so hopes to repeat them this year.

Wishes JH a happy birthday. Finished the catalogue of 2500 nebulae.

Thanks for Smith's "very kind letter" [of 27 January 1825]. Pays tribute to their 31 years of friendship, during which they have been "intimately known to each other without any misunderstanding or coolness". Forwards delayed letter for Smith from [George] Hibbert [see RelatedMaterial below, requested Smith's recommendation for curator of a botanic garden in Jamaica]; suggests David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] for the post as a means for the Linnean Society to be rid of him.

Thanks Smith for "high compliment" paid to him by Linnean Society [in proposing a portrait be taken of him], only regrets it comes so soon after the subscription for Smith's bust, which raised £190, proud to be the proposer of it. Uncertain what has happened about nomination of [James] Bicheno to succeed him [as Society Secretary].

Asks CD to send him some books on physiology and natural history from the family library.

Thanks for information on the R.S.L. barometers. Would he purchase various instruments for the new observatory. Notes on star readings.

Making, reducing, and publishing double star work is very difficult and, because of Wilhelm Struve's recent endeavors, less pressing than it had been. Mentions various doubles. Expresses interest in JS's plan to purchase a very large refractor.

Confesses he is "not a man of compliments", but Macleay's "wide removal, as it were, to another world [...] seems to excuse & indeed require an opening of heart between us"; pays tribute to their 31-year friendship; urges Macleay to look out for his health, citing recent death of "a most invaluable" nephew of his in India. Hopes to be in London in time to see Macleay, will be giving his first lecture at the London Institution on 2 May [1825], and until then engaged with finishing third volume of his "English Flora".

Recommended David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] to [George] Hibbert [for curator of Jamaica botanic garden]. Will be happy to see [James] Bicheno as new Linnean Society Secretary, though would have been equally pleased with [Edward] Barnard. Delighted with Macleay's son's "most excell[en]t & learned papers".

No summary available.

Mortified that Smith has not yet received his catalogue of Heaths. Gratified by Lady Morley's [Frances Morley (d 1857), 2nd wife of 1st Earl of Morley] favourable opinion of the book. Anxious to begin his collection of 'Salix' at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, and would value Smith's assistance. Has [William Jackson] Hooker's "Flora Scotica" but not acquainted with work of Seringne [?]. Hopes to see Smith the next time he is in London.

Comments on ES's measurement [in his Account of Experiments to Determine the Figure of the Earth] indicating 'the increase of the fraction expressing the earth's compression.' Predicts that ES's result will cause a 'sensation,' but does not commit himself to it.

No summary available.

Let Josef Fraunhofer make WW's whole transit instrument, and mural circle as well. Attests to Fraunhofer's artistry. Germans will soon leave no stars to discover. Wishes someone would import G. F. Reichenbach's meridian circle and use it on F. W. Bessel's plan. Suggests WW order clocks from [Robert] Molyneux or [William] Hardy.

Is helping another scientist bring to publication a work on triangulation in the Alps. Comments on JH's idea of suspending an extremely long plumb bob at a particular precipice in the Alps [Foucault pendulum?]. GP does not believe the results would warrant the expense. Comments on the floating collimator [see JH's 1825-1-14], noting that he does not find it very helpful.

Explains the layout of her recently completed catalogue of 2500 nebulae.

No summary available.

Is sending a copy of Wilhelm Struve's paper on Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Regarding F. W. Bessel's formula on longitude. Has copies of J. J. Littrow's paper for him.

Received Smith's letter of 8 January [1825]. Introduces his young friend, Howard Ryland, bearer of this letter. He and Mrs Yates would be happy to receive the Smiths as their guests. Mrs Yates is copying the account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral for Smith, it has appeared in some of the newspapers. Encloses sprig of a greenhouse plant they bought as a 'Linum' [Smith annotation: "'Linum arboreum'"]; observations. News of Birmingham friends: Comptons, Galtons, and Corries.

Specimen of 'Linum', wrapped.