Text Online
From:
Michael Faraday
To:
J. Miller
Date:
c May 1849
Source of text:
HCL, Quaker Collection
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Faraday Project
No summary available.
No summary available. This letter appears to continue into a diary entry.
Regarding tides in the atmosphere. Suggests a possible way of measuring these tides. Has never seen the subject mentioned.
Grateful for JH's help in making a successful claim upon Her Majesty's Government.
JDH is en route to 'the snows'. A fragrant Artemisia sp. is common though atypical for the climate. Before leaving Darjeeling JDH sent RBG Kew: seeds, Sikkim, Bhotean & Thibethan cloth, tree fern sections, Amadou string , brick tea, a bamboo fishing basket of the Sikkim Mechis of the Terai, Lepcha & Thibetan weapons, flutes, Caryota cotton, Chinese tea called 'Dut-hang' , Bhotea cups, an elephant motif comb used by Ghorkhas [Gurkhas], red paste for marking caste, a letter from the Durmah Rajah on Daphne paper wrapped in silk, 'mech' cloth, a woollen 'do', a Mountain Armadillo cap, a flageolet, a hookah, shields & knives. He has also sent plants of Rhododendron dalhousiae, R. argentums, R. falconeri, Magnolia, Helmingia & Orchideae, to be forwarded through Mr Macrae. JDH had letters about [George] Gardener's death & his collections from Dr Fleming of the army in Ceylon [Sri Lanka] & from Wight. Clamanze has arrived with JDH's collections at the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, where Falconer is expected. JDH discusses the uncertain route of his Sikkim expedition & if he will be hindered by the Rajah & the Lasso Kaji: the lately rejected Vakeel, who could stop JDH crossing the Teesta. JDH's party comprises soldiers, [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's shooters, Lepchas, Sikkim Bhoteas. [Archibald] Campbell came as far as the Great Rungeet. JDH discusses his new servant's faults & the hospitable Cathcart. The ship 'Malabar' bringing Adye's instruments has reached Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH mentions Captain Mac Luckie's account of a sea serpent in the ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, identified by Prof Owen as a seal. Discusses some barley, the health of Thomas Thomson, & Wallich & McLeland's quarrels reported by Dr O'Shaugnessy. Further up the mountain JDH has collected: a yellow Cymbidium; a funny tree resembling 'Putraajira', which he will identify using Endlicher's book; & Wallichia. This letter will be taken to Dajeeling by Tcheba Lama. The Rajah has sent Hooker his old guide Meepo.
Many thanks for his astronomy [Outlines Astr.]. Will read it later when he has more time.
JDH tells Miss [Frances] Henslow how kind the mountain people are to him. He describes his travelling camp, comprising Coolies & Sidars who attend JDH & carry his instruments, a Bhotea interpreter, a Havildar or corporal, sepas, shooters & bird stuffers of [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's & carriers to transport supplies such as food, tents & paper. JDH's only fear is that the Sikkim Rajah may cause trouble & frighten his men, who are nearly all cowards. JDH discusses the behaviour of the Rajah which has been obstructive behind a veneer of politeness, JDH travels on regardless. The Teheba Lama, who Hooker knows from the Teesta, has visited JDH as representative of the Rajah & explained that a letter should have been delivered by the Lassoo Kaji informing JDH he could not proceed until the Rajah had observed a period of mourning for his son but Kaji was disgraced by [Archibald] Campbell & did not deliver the letter. JDH did not give credence to this excuse & the Teheba Lama guaranteed JDH safe passage but he expects to be obstructed again before a guide finally appears.
No summary available.
Describes cold water cure he has been taking for two months at J. M. Gully’s establishment.
Plans to go to BAAS meeting at Birmingham if health improves.
A note of thanks for a copy of JH's Outlines Astr.
No summary available.
No summary available.
On receiving ARW’s letters, has decided to join him at Para, Brazil; departing from Liverpool in a few weeks. Glad Fanny’s things have reached her in Georgia. “We are doomed to be a scattered family...let us meet it bravely [and] hope that all its members may meet yet again.”
JSH writes to decline invitation to anniversary dinner of the Royal Corporation of the Literary Fund. Explains this is due to commitments lecturing at Cambridge.
No summary available.
Note to present JH with a copy of AS's latest work.
Thanks JH for his support of Henry Prinsep in his attempt to be elected [to seat of directors of the East India House].
Approves of James Nasmyth's application to join R.S.L. Describes good points of Nasmyth's telescope. Supposes that if he had drawing talent, he would sketch the members of the R.S.L.
Describes usual method for interpolation of altitudes at sea. JH's graphic method probably would be practicable.
No summary available.