No summary available.

Tells AG that JH is a member of a committee looking for ways of making better glass, so AG should not reveal any secrets to JH. JH provides the names of the leading telescope-makers in London, whom AG may wish to contact.

Is still looking for suitable people to work in the glass experiments.

No summary available.

Informs Smith of the return of [David Douglas (1799-1834), plant collector and traveller], after two years exploring the Columbia River region on behalf of the Horticultural Society and Hudson's Bay Company. He saw a giant pine 19 feet in diameter and 215 feet high, amongst many other discoveries.

Expressing the thanks of the Académie for Observations made with a 20-foot telescope.

His infirm health and increasing debility prevent him from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; reflections on approaching death. Endeavouring to finish his literary work with all reasonable speed: revising his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts for last time, including Mr Madden's additions; finishing his "Mondandrian Plants" with the 15th number; and finishing his pamphlet on American penitentiary system with advocation for a system equally desireable in this country if not for its "old institutions & inveterate prejudices".

Thanks for Smith's remarks on his descriptions of Monandrian plants and assents to Smith's opinion regarding 'Renealmia'; will place in it the 'Cardamom' plant, radical flowering 'Alpinia', and other plants which according to their system are not in any other genus. Received from [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] in Serampore four flowers of 'Curcuma' preserved in spirits. Had been anxious about [Nathaniel] Wallich after hearing he had remained behind the embassy among the Burmese, but now hears he is expected in about a month with an "immense cargo" of living and dried plants including 'Curcuma' and 'Crina'; the 'Scitamineae' Wallich promised him will be too late for his purposes now.

Thanks JH for letter. Regrets having missed possibility of seeing JH while in England. Asks JH to convince [Charles] Babbage to pass through Brussels instead of Rotterdam.

Requesting a copy of JH's paper on 'Object planes.' Encloses with this letter his own paper on 'Eyepieces.' Requesting that Greenwich Observations be sent to the University Library, Cambridge.

Is having some of JH's friends to dinner and would be pleased if he would join them. Affairs of the Geological Society. Has notice from Capt. P. P. King with specimens from the Straits of Magellan.

Comments on [Pierrre] Guinand's glass making process. Believes the glass made Guinand's way will be too expensive [see JH's 1827-10-20].

Thanks for the works. How can he send some for the R.S.L. and Astronomical Society?

Thanks for, praises, and comments on WH's 'Systems of Rays' paper. Says WH will have a distinguished career. Mentions other works and hopes to forward them with others he receives to WH.

Hopes to draw up 'a comparative view of the chemical and mineralogical classification of fossils....' Asks JH's view of J. J. Berzelius's system of chemical notation.

Encloses parcel for JH's mother. Mr. Beckwith suffered paralytic attack. SW did not report this to Lady Mary Herschel, but JH may if he deems it wise.

Writes in favour of a London University professorship for Thomas Key. Refers to some optical experiments of Michael Faraday, and extends solution of conic section problem first raised in WT's letter of 1826-2-27.

No summary available.