From:
Marianne Darwin; Marianne Parker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. 13 Mar 1826]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 27
Summary:
Further particulars of Spark’s death.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Further particulars of Spark’s death.
JH will be presented with the Gold Medal of the Astronomical Society of London.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Encloses dried specimens of the rye; when in flower will make magnified drawing of the corolla. The garden more ordered now though unsure how long they will remain here. Asks for the name of the "Malay Tree" which distills a "pure liquid like water" when the branches are cut. Seeds damaged by the rains. Cuttings from his plant of 'Neicum grandiflosum' thrive well.
No summary available.
Further regarding parcels of books sent to G. S. G. Santini of Padova. Details and comments on telescopes used for observations.
No summary available.
Thanks for his valuable communications. His theory regarding the method of determining the difference of parallax is ingenious. Regarding the difference in observations of certain stars between Dublin and Greenwich. Returns G. A. A. Plana's letter and comments on this. Has not yet printed his paper on fixed stars.
Thanks for ME's letter; JH hopes to see her in Ireland in summer.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Asks for the use of an invariable pendulum and a clock from the Board of Longitude so that G. B. Airy and William Whewell can carry out experiments to measure the change in gravity and the mean density of the earth, in a Yorkshire coal mine.
Tells of gay times with guests.
Describes observations made as he travelled and people visited on journey from London to Ancona.
Has been waiting for a letter from Basil Hall regarding the availability of his pendulums, but has heard nothing. Surprised at the error in William Lambton's calculations. What does he think of the method of finding the figure of the earth by measuring the parallax of the moon? Is writing in bed. Has been polishing a mirror for T. J. Hussey.
Writes of Papa’s disapproval of CD’s practice of picking and choosing only lectures he likes to attend and of his early return home.
News of Erasmus, who is visiting sick poor people in the neighbourhood. Other Shrewsbury news.
Announces a new step to all astronomers toward understanding the solar system due to work of [Thomas] Clausen of the Altona observatory. Clausen recognized that the comet discovered by Biela was the same as that of 1805 and 1772. HS gives details of circumstances.
Has been transcribing his paper on suspensions. Comments on this and hopes it will be received by the council. Would like to know if his paper has been received.
Report on the flora of Corfu, although his explorations have not yet extended beyond the city: orange and olive trees loaded with fruit and berries, "gigantic" 'Arundo donax' and 'Cactus opuntia' "diversify the prospect". The hedges are formed of cultivated artichokes, and there are also hedges of scarlet Cape geraniums. Calendar of flora for 31 March, 2 April, and 4 April listing growth and flowering of various plants, including plants not in the "Prodomus Florae Graecae" [the calendar is transcribed in Pleasance Smith's transcription and also online via University of Glasgow, see PubInNote below]. Observed a scarlet cornfield in Italy covered with 'Tulipa oculis-solis', "the weeds of the south of Europe are very handsome".