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.
Received Smith's letter of 24 [March 1825]. Pleased Smith approves of his "Hortus Ericaeus"; they took great pains to ensure accuracy and hope that the diagram will prove useful; Mr Hayter intends to draw up an enlarged "illustration of its uses" to present to Royal Society. Willow cuttings sent by Smith safely received; they will form foundation of the willow garden he intends to make. Will be pleased to show Smith his collection of heaths when he has leisure to visit Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire]. Pleased to hear Smith is busy completing the third volume of his "[English] Flora".
Is grateful for being elected an Associate of the Astronomical Society. Compares barometers. Grateful for comments on his pamphlet. News of expedition up Mont Cuccio. Local disputes regarding the results.
Thanks Smith for naming 'Cnicus forsteri' after him, but concerned there are too many 'foresteris' already. Smith's definition very good, answers his queries about the plant. His daughter, Harriet, has just married and is moving to Devon. Directions to his house for Smith's spring visit.
Invites JH to dinner Saturday to meet J. G. S. Van Breda.
Shares JH's doubts whether the Board of Longitude will fund the Teneriffe expedition, the importance of which he again stresses. Cannot personally cover the costs. Thanks JH for his support and praise.
No summary available.
Responds to ES's proposal to conduct a series of meteorological observations from the peak of Teneriffe. Promises to bring it before the Board of Longitude for consideration for support.