Regarding certificates at the R.S.L. Relates recent occurrences over form of certificates. Would like to see him at Christmas.
Restriction to reside constantly [at Cambridge] may deter Charles Babbage from position of Lucasian Professor.
Thanks for Smith's medical advice, which accords with [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland's [(1781-1855), surgeon]. Goodenough believes all his maladies are connected to his gout; his ankles and feet are beginning to swell again after having left off using a crutch following twelve months of suffering.
Smith should not worry about "Mr S" as "he is quite blown up & I hear gone abroard" and cannot show himself in England again. A scandal involving a member of the Athenaeum; no one has been able to persuade him to make an appearance or personally deny the rumours. Had not heard of [William Jackson] Hooker's corrections of himself and Smith but not concerned. Scarcely a house in London without someone unwell.
Describes her role in William Herschel's work as 'a mere tool which he had the trouble of sharpening and to adapt for the purpose he wanted it.' Sending to JH the first volume of Johann Pfaff's translation of William Herschel's papers in three weeks; believes that JH will be unhappy with it.
Enquires about purchasing a copy of Baxter’s Stirpes Cryptogamae Oxoniensis and offers to send species local to Cambridge in return.
No summary available.
Of plans to go to London.
Although not known to JH, is writing under the auspices of Charles Babbage. Sends various works. Has honor of having proposed JH as correspondent to Royal Academy of Science of Brussels, unanimously supported. Would JH please seriously consider?
Interested in JH's catalogue of dimmer double stars. Worries about determining parallax of very close stars. Points out mistake in JH's formula for determining 'the maxima and minima of the position angles.' Informs JH of German translation of William Herschel's writings, Wilhelm Herschels sämmtliche Schriften.
Thanks for instruments and books. Death of Prof. Giuseppe Piazzi. Returns instruments for repair. Books have not reached him. Sends first volume of one of his own works.
Would like to spend Christmas with him. Does he want a Newfoundland puppy?
Tells CB of the mistake on the certificate for admission [to the R.S.L.?] for Mr. Moreau, which meant it had to be withdrawn. Doubts that reapplication would be successful. Other news from London.
Heard election for position in London will not take place for several weeks. If JH can secure situation in Virginia for WR, WR will accept it.
Smith's ["English Flora"] will fulfill a "desideratum in the botany of this country that no other hand could have supplied". Discusses forthcoming numbers of his "Monandrian Plants", including: 'Maranta divaricata'; 'Phrynium parkeri'; 'Thalia geniculata'; compared 'Phrynium myrosma' with 'Myrosma canniformis' from Smith's herbarium and identified error by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow who should have named 'Phrynium capitatum' 'Myrosma capitata'.
Received from Demarara preserved flower of largest 'Amomum', conludes it is the melegueta pepper, or grains of paradise; observations. Committed to finishing his work before visiting Smith. Anxious about Dawson Turner's health. Unsure of reaction to his 'Matonia', which will unite the "finest aromatic plants of the Easter and Western Hemisphere"; asks Smith to review his materials.
About JH's mother's illness, and an invitation to JH to visit Hastings.
Regarding Mr. Moreau and his certificate. Recent happenings at the R.S.L. Has been pheasant shooting.
Regrets he has taken so long to answer his letter. Gives reasons why the Commission does not allocate the same zone to two astronomers. Readings of J. Grooby and T. J. Hussey. Thanks for JH's work. J. E. Bode's work will be continued.
Bad weather has prevented him from observing the transit of the comet. Has purchased a refractor similar to the one at Dorpat.
Sending a copy of Johann Pfaff's German translation of William Herschel's papers.
No summary available.