Asks WS if possible to enclose a note by Francis Beaufort to John Russell concerning request for pension for Thomas Maclear. Lays aside double star observations; continues work on orbit equation.
In response to a request, JH is not willing to part with any letters from his father, William, but will send one of William Herschel's notes to his sister, Caroline.
Thanks for his note. Is writing to remove any misconceptions JH may have about the proposed new club. Michael Faraday will be joining on condition that there will be no dinners.
Corrects a misunderstanding of his description of salt deposits [in South America, pp. 74–5]. The salt referred to was from Rio Negro, and was coarsely crystallised and free of other saline substances found in sea-salt. CD believes its lesser value in curing meat is owing to the absence of muriates of lime and magnesia and suggests that it might be worth while to add them to the Rio Negro salt.
No summary available.
W. S. Jacob sends Alpha Centauri observations to R.A.S.; uses JH's Cape Results as a guide to double stars.
A specimen of Machairodus offered for sale by F. J. Muñiz.
Discusses possible publication in England of paper by Muñiz describing the skeleton.
Sends pamphlet on scarlatina in the Pampas.
Has received copy of CL’s Principles [7th ed.].
Comments on reading Annales des sciences naturelles.
David Milne’s and Robert Chambers’ views on Glen Roy.
Mentions sales of South America.
Describes visit to his father at Shrewsbury.
Giving details of Thatcham Church and of the tablet, which is to be erected in memory of Francis Baily. Sculptor will be sending proof of the inscription.
No summary available.
Asks WS to take the chair at the next meeting of the R.A.S [probably concerning the Adams-Leverrier dispute].
Memorial presented by members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and other scientific societies, submitting that natural history is inadequately provided for by the present constitution of the Board of Trustees of the British Museum.
No summary available.
Notes that actinometer observations prove faulty due to problem with instruments. Asks that WS notify Indian observatories to join others in terminating such observations until JH finds method of getting around problem.
Thanks for sending his book on the Correspondence of James Watt. Hopes to give it the attention it deserves, but meanwhile comments on the water controversy of Henry Cavendish, Joseph Priestley, and James Watt.
Believes he has succeeded in integrating elliptic and hyperbolic functions in finite terms, and sends a paper in which this is discussed.
George III defrayed all costs (£4000) for William Herschel's 40-feet reflecting telescope. JH began dismantling it in Dec. 1839. Lenses and equipment are in storage. Tube's internal structure of corrugated iron and framework's diagonal bracing were originated by WH.
Thanks for JDH’s notes on species sketch. Proposes to drive to Kew to discuss them with him.
Proposal of giving medals to both J. C. Adams and U. J. J. Leverrier by William Whewell turned down by R.A.S.
No summary available.