A letter of introduction for a Mr. Thomson, who intends to go to South America and establish schools, and wishes to talk to GA about university education.
Death of James Grahame's relative. Explored volcanoes in Vivarais Mountains. Describes Mont Blanc at sunset. Regrets bypassing St. Bernard. Expects to reach London by 13 Oct.
Sends Smith copy of newspaper [not extant] reporting the incident involving "an unworthy member" of the Linnean Society [Richard Salisbury]. His son and family leaving for London and then Paris for winter for Mrs Cullum's health, against his recommendation of Bath, [Somerset]. Lady Cullum still suffering from an intermittent fever. Visited by Revd Dr Thomas Frognall Dibdin [(1776-1847)], author of "Bibliomania", "Decameron", and others, he is now working on a life of Thomas à Kempis [(c 1380-1471)]. Glad to hear of Mr Freeman, a young botanist, but laments to hear of so many persons being shot by "spring guns" placed in woods a botanist should not enter. Received specimen of 'Centaurea solstitialis' from Dr [William] Webb growing near St Edmund's Hill, Bury.
No summary available.
Plans leisure sightseeing in Paris. Visited Louvre. [P.S. 7 Oct.:] Called on Alexis Bouvard yesterday. Met W. H. Wollaston, returning from Tyrol. Wrote to Caroline Herschel from Montpellier. Will view A. M. Ampère's electrical experiments today.
Thanks for Yates' letter of 29 March 1825, no longer sure of where Yates is living but hopes this gets to Liverpool, [Lancashire], free. Thinks Yates' 'Linum' is 'L. arboreum'; observations. Read account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral "with very great pleasure", presumes it is Yates' own composition. Returns a letter; believes the item Yates saw is a "Chinese device for reckoning" but was unable to consult Mr Donce at Kensington about it. Admired Yates' friend [Howard] Ryland "very much", saw his uncle in Bristol and London in 1825. Going on with fourth volume of "English flora", which all his time this spring is devoted to.
Looking over Roscoe's "great work" ["Mondandrian Plants"] with a botanical friend; very satisfied with it and eager to see all his species of 'Costus', which has previously been in complete disorder. No 'Amomum' amongst [Francis] Hamilton's drawings and collections; made use of own little-known ones in "Supplementum" to Rees' "Cyclopedia".
Unable to accept [Thomas William] Coke's recent invitation to Holkham, [Norfolk], as he needs to finish his "[English] Flora"; cannot write letters or attend to other people's concerns, either. Hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham and Norwich before winter sets in; already suffering from rheumatism. Suggests very great heat, drought, or starvation for 'Amomum granum paradisi' to flower.
No summary available.
JG urges JH to marry. JG has begun to write history again.
No summary available.
Medical studies in London. Compares lectures and students at London and Edinburgh. Comments on the cost of dissection.
The Lucasian Professorship will shortly become vacant. Hopes JH will become a candidate for this chair, once occupied by Newton.
Previous engagement prevents WW witnessing experiment of A. M. Ampère tomorrow. Waits for JH's report. Hopes to see JH at [Georges] Cuvier's tomorrow.
Learned of vacancy in Lucasian Professorship at Cambridge. Wrote to [T. W.] Hornbuckle explaining why JH declines. Asks JW's support for Charles Babbage.
Declines being considered for the Lucasian professorship at Cambridge, stating his convictions 'that I shall do more for science as an independent amateur than as a Professor of any particular branch or department of it.' Proposes Charles Babbage as candidate. [Also includes draft of letter to George Peacock requesting his support for Babbage.]
Tells JH that the Lucasian Professorship has become available. Believes most Cambridge people favor JH. Urges JH to write the electors, i.e., the heads of the Cambridge colleges.
No summary available.
Wanted [JH] to become Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, but electors favor one of Heads. This will also operate against Charles Babbage.
Declines to become a candidate for the Lucasian professorship. Explains his reasons. Has written in support of Charles Babbage. Thanks WW for seeing JH's 'Light' through the press. Describes JH's travels on the continent, including his 'geologising.'
Still concerned about possible changes to GP's memoir [see GP's 1826-1-28] due to the work of P. S. Laplace. Comments on illness [?] of F. X. von Zach.