Invites Smith to visit this month before going down to London together. Will subscribe to [Alexander] Macleay's portrait.
Invites Smith to visit this month before going down to London together. Will subscribe to [Alexander] Macleay's portrait.
Clarifies issues discussed in an earlier letter. Discusses whether the project of making meteorological observations will be feasible if the Board of Longitude does not offer financial support. Attempts to arrange a meeting with JH.
Responds to ES's letter of 1825-4-4, stating that JH now understands that ES will proceed with the Teneriffe observations only if funds are provided. Praises Sabine's previous work.
On 1825-4-7 presented ES's proposal for experiments at Teneriffe to the Board of Longitude, which judged the experiments not sufficiently relevant to the Board's concerns. Offers to seek endorsement from the R.S.L.
Illegible.
On the eloges of William Herschel being prepared by François Arago and J. B. Fourier. JH's and JS's work on double stars much appreciated among French astronomers. On Alexis Bouvard, Arago, and other French astronomers. On Wilhelm Struve's observations of double stars.
Proposes accompanying Smith to London via Bury for Horticultural Society and Linnean Club meetings, and if not suitable invites him to Bury in May. Notes that in [Thaddeus Mason] Harris' [(1768-1842), American clergyman] "Natural History of the Bible" Smith is quoted as naming the "lilies of the field" 'Amaryllis lutea'. Wonders if he can find 'Ophrys aranifera' for the lack of rain; has previously found it in flower the last day of March, and expects to hear the cuckoo in a week to ten days.
Encourages JH to bring ES's proposal for Teneriffe experiments before the R.S.L. Council.
Visiting English friends; desires to call on Smith.
Agrees to purchase JS's 7-foot refractor if no other reasonable offer made, but doubts he would use it extensively. Plans to concentrate on observing nebulae with JH's reflector at Slough. Relays regards and question for P. S. Laplace.
Anticipates appearance of JH's work on double stars; asks for suggestions for employment for a young man from Germany, and offers some suggestions about refining the study of refraction.
Studied 659 double stars; JH is confident that his work proves his father's conclusions. Now plans to study nebulae.
Invites Smith to them at Hale End, [Essex].
Writes to thank the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia for the gift of the catalogue of its library.
Something is going badly. Comments on volcanic action observed, and on having met some English acquaintances of JH. [Many parts of this letter illegible.]
Invites ES to join him and other scientists for dinner. Requests that ES prepare a detailed description and justification of his proposed Teneriffe experiments for consideration by the R.S.L. Council.
On the transmission of materials between JH and JS. On their joint observations.
Election to the Astronomical Society.
Asked by [George] Hibbert and [Alexander] Macleay to nominate a candidate for superintendence of the Botanic Garden of Jamaica; nominates [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist]; his qualifications. Thanks for agreeable afternoon he and his family lately spent with Smith in Norwich.
Asks if Smith concurs with [William Jackson] Hooker on appointment of [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist] as curator of the Botanic Garden in Jamaica, as the Legislature wishes him to appoint someone recommended by Smith.