Gives diagram and explanation of TY's reduced parallax. JH's formula is elaborate but complicated. TY's formula is less exact but easier for public to use. Welcomes criticism.
Pleased to hear of his election to the Astronomical Society. No further news of the projected observatory at Cambridge. Has JH any news of the Observatory to be erected at the Cape? Would JH add his name to his certificate for the R.S.L. Is he interested in the Plumian Professorship?
Has sent the Address to the printers for the corrections to be made. Committee meeting on Tuesday next. Hopes JH can come.
Delayed writing following death of Smith's mother. The King [George IV (1762-1830)] almost died but is now recovering, dropsy was avoided after he lost 130 ounces of blood, the illness not caused by intemperance but was the same kind which killed the Duke of Kent [pneumonia]. Thinks ministers acted generously and wisely dissolving Parliament so early. A new Linnean dining club established at the Thatched House Tavern, dismisses concerns that it will cause a schism with those attending the club held at the British Coffee House. Two children of his son, Robert, died of whooping cough, his daughter Charlotte's ten children all had it but survived, she is now expecting her eleventh.
Thanks JH for communication to the [Cambridge Philosophical] Society. States the reactions of Cambridge faculty to the society. Gives dates for next meetings.
At author's request forwards Smith an additional copy of [Georg Franz] Hoffmann's "Genera plantarum Umbelliferarum", following miscarriage of the first copy sent.
Is sending the books. News of the Committee meeting. Relations of the Astronomical Society with Sir Joseph Banks and the R.S.L.
Sends 100 kinds of seeds; list of desiderata.
Was unable to attend council meeting of the Astronomical Society. Difficulties over the choosing of a president. Regarding the affairs of Sir Joseph Banks.
Was unable to attend the meeting of the Astronomical Society Council. Has heard the news regarding the president. Gives a problem of chance. Regarding the printing of the supplement.
States that the [Cambridge Philosophical Society] meeting went well. Charges against council were proven unfounded with the help of a letter from [Webster?]. James Cumming has been experimenting with magneticogalvanic phenomena.
Please write [H. J. Temple, Viscount] Palmerston on behalf of Fearon Fallows, candidate for director of future observatory at Cape of Good Hope.
Invitation to dine with them; Sir Walter Scott is expected as well.
Had planned to attend Linnean Society and Club on his way to Liverpool with Lady [Pleasance] Smith but forced to cancel this on account of Lady Smith's mother, "whose death is hourly expected". Now intends to come to London with Lady Smith at beginning of May, before proceeding to Liverpool. "Almost afraid to enquire the state of [Macleay's] family". He has been unusually well "this severe weather", but in the last two months the deaths of his mother and several other "dear friends" have brought on his usual headaches, eager to change the scene.
No summary available.
Regarding his stove for his experiments. Problem with crystals. Printing of his book in Paris.
Recommends Fearon Fallows for position as astronomer at Cape of Good Hope. Praises FF for his mathematical ability.
Has been experimenting with magnetism. Two persons wish to become Foreign Members of the [Astronomical Society?]. Regarding the Lucasian at Cambridge. Would like JH to procure the medal of [Matthew Boulton?] for him.
Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.
"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.
Informing him of the death of Isaac Milner. He should try for the Lucasian Professorship at Cambridge.