R.S.L. selecting foreign members. Asks JH's opinion of a number of foreign scientists and also his opinion of what he, as foreign secretary, should do in this matter.
R.S.L. selecting foreign members. Asks JH's opinion of a number of foreign scientists and also his opinion of what he, as foreign secretary, should do in this matter.
No summary available.
Likes what WH has outlined on botany for JH's Admiralty Manual. Suggests some additions.
Encloses memorandum on Admiralty Manual. General meteorology is assigned to Charles Wheatstone, but special section [on barometer observations] will be attributed to WB.
Suggests how WW should write his contribution giving instructions for tidal observations for JH's Admiralty Manual. Notes the death of JH's butler.
Responds to some of JH's concerns [see JH's 1847-12-30] about changes in instrumentation at the Royal Observatory.
Sending copies of Admiralty Memorandum of 7 December, and requesting JH to request papers from Edward Sabine.
A note accompanying a printed circular about the proposed changes in instrumentation at the Royal Observatory. [Encloses GA's circular to Board of Visitors.]
Gratitude for receipt of JH's Cape Results. Sends copies of notice of JH's Cape Results prepared by DO for American Journal of Science.
Acknowledges JH's letter on the water controversy. Draws his attention to an article on the subject in the current Edinburgh Review. Comments on the various theories.
JDH has corresponded with Robert Wight regarding the address of Mrs Wight, currently in Scotland. Baillieu or Arnott may have more information regarding Mrs W. JDH asks for some things he forgot to be sent out to him via the Cape, incl. Lindley's THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM, his testimonials, Humboldt's letter & a copy of the RBG Kew guide. He refers to the Ladakh mission in Tibet. JDH is struggling with names of common plants that are unfamiliar to him. He discusses the Agri-Horticultural garden in Madras [Chennai] and the man who runs it, an amateur gardener: Captain Worcester who will send RBG Kew roots of mango trees, Notheria, Orchideae & palms as he is doing for Loddiges. JDH considers Walter Elliott the best man in Madras, he is knowledgeable about mammals & birds.
Many thanks for his replies to the queries of Francis Jeffrey's (Lord Jeffrey); they will be appreciated. Use of the word 'vindicated' not happy. Mr. Moriarty called yesterday; he is not appreciated in England. Will send copy of JH's review to Alexander von Humboldt. Hopes he will review the 2nd volume. The Joneses are at Pall Mall, and William Whewell in Paris.
[Form letter] Acknowledges receipt of JH's Cape Results by library of Philosophical Society.
Encloses the manuscript of the directions for atmospheric waves and barometric fluctuations. Suggests that it would be useful if the vessel about to travel to New Zealand would be utilized to supply barometric readings en route.
A note accompanying some manuscript pages of instructions for ship's officers [see JH's 1847-12-23].
Has received GA's manuscript instructions for ship's officers [see GA's 1848-1-9]; there is no hurry on the remaining pages.
Thanks GA for his contributions to some material JH is compiling; asks about date of Board of Visitors meeting.
JDH describes his arrival at Madras harbour with Lord Dalhousie [James Andrew Broun-Ramsay], his daughter [Lady Susan Georgiana Hay], [Colonel Francis William Henry] Fane, Courtenay & Bell. They were met by the Marquis of Tweedale [George Hay] of whom JDH expresses a very low opinion, & later given a grand oriental welcome including large crowds, a military reception & bands playing God Save the Queen. JDH describes Madras, government house & his stay there & his opinion of the people he stayed with & encountered, including: ladies Tweedale & Dalhousie; Lord Arthur Hay, a collecting naturalist; Lord Dance; Major Garsten, previously of Abercrombie Place & now resident at the Court of the Nabob of Arat; General Cubbon, political agent for Mysore; Cubbon's surgeon who knew about cotton growing in the hottest parts of India; Mr & Mrs Walter Elliott, collectors of antiquities; & the Wedderburn's, friends of Matilda Ripley[?]. JDH also describes the bungalow in the grounds of government house where he stayed & the sumptuous tents that the aide de camps live in. He mentions Admiral Highfield of the 'Vernon' and Sir Blackwood of the 'Fox'. The latter is going to survey the Teak forest of Moulmein [Mawlamyine, Burma] as the Teak on the Malabar coast has been exhausted. JDH mentions his preparations for onward travel: securing Giddy's collector and looking for servants to employ. JDH also describes some street performers & a levee presided over by Dalhousie. JDH spent most of his time at the Horticultural Society Garden. From Calcutta [Kolkata] JDH writes that he values Bessy's letters, is plagued by mosquitoes, met Robert Reddie & plans to go to Midnapore & Burdwan with Guney[?].
No summary available.
Condolences regarding sad event [death of Caroline Herschel]. Somervilles enjoyed their visit to Collingwood. Has sent a box of gifts.