From:
Caroline Lucretia Herschel
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
1843-4
Source of text:
unknown
Summary:
Describes the visit of the Crown Prince and Princess [of Hanover?] on her 93rd birthday (16 March).
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Francis Baily
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[1 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.243
Summary:
Has copied out JH's map showing the constellations as named by JH. Is moving to Richmond for a few weeks. Gives a message from H. C. Schumacher.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Francis Baily
Date:
[1843-4]
Source of text:
RS:HS 25.8.62
Summary:
Sends along Frederik Kaiser's observations of Halley's Comet; [Robert] Everest is upset with JH because JH had signed a letter of support for a grant for T. B. Jervis.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Joseph Hartnell
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 10.167
Summary:
Has just received the news that Hartnell's son has passed the exams at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Sir Charles Lyell
Date:
3 April 1843
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.184-187, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH last wrote to Charles Lyell in Sep 1842. He now continues the story of the expedition. The cliff of Cape Horn did not live up to its reputation. The expedition went to Hermite Island in Fuegia. Mentions [Charles] Darwin's account of it as the summit of a submerged mountain. JDH collected Cryptogamia previously found by Menzies, Forster & Banks plus new mosses. Describes St Martin's Cove & the view of the island. Describes the island geology in detail, mentions Maxwell Harbour, Cape Spencer & arseniate of iron. The only notable insect was a Carabus. Discusses Fuegian weather. Recounts a discussion with an officer of the 'Philomel' re. Darwin's thoughts on Falkland Islands' geology. Describes the geology of the Falklands: very uniform, consisting of quartz, peat bogs & clay. Only abundant vegetation in the Falklands is grasses, noted European introductions incl: Veronica serpyllifolia, Poa Annua, Rumex sp. & Alsine nudia. JDH found pumice from the South Shetlands. Mentions a rock off the coast seen by Lieutenant Burdwood & now submerged. The expedition sailed south for Antarctica on 17 Dec & saw first ice near Clarence Island. Reached land at 'Cape Francais' & followed the coast south. Describes the landscape incl. mountainous coast, glaciers, volcanic islands & islands named by D'Urville: Trinity Land, Palmer's Land, Terre Louis Phillippe & Terre Joinville & the great landmass Biscoe called Graham's Land. Describes in great detail the geology, geography & climate of a volcanic island they landed on. Compares the snow there to that on Mt Etna as described in Lyell's son's PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY. Birdlife incl. Petrels, Penguins & Cormorants. Only moss, lichen & seaweed can survive the conditions on the island. Ice stopped them tracing Weddel's route but on 5 Mar reached their most southerly point 71 degrees latitude. JDH reports arriving at False Bay, Cape of Good Hope to anchor in Simon's Bay. Offers rocks to Lyell's son Charles & birds & shells to his daughters.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner)
Date:
5 April 1843
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.188, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH thanks his Aunt Elizabeth Palgrave for two letters, the first received in the Falkland Islands, the second, dated 3 Jan 1842, at Simon's Bay in the Cape of Good Hope. He is glad to have received so many backdated letters with news of his family, even though early in the expedition every letter at a new port brough bad news: the illness & death of his brother Willy [William Henslow Hooker] in Jamaica, the death of his sister Mary [Harriet Hooker] & the illness of his Grandfather & sister Elizabeth ['Bessy' Hooker]. But god things have befallen JDH on the expedition as well, he is satisfied he has done his duty & the expedition has been a success. JDH is delighted for his Father, William Jackson Hooker, who is very happy with his situation as Director of RBG Kew, as are the whole family. Mentions the education of his cousins Frank [Francis Turner Palgrave] & Giffy [William Gifford Palgrave] & his Uncle [Francis Palgrave's] health & poverty. Mentions MURRAY'S HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN NORTH ITALY, written by his uncle. Also contribution of his aunt & Lady Callcott to a volume on Westminster Abbey. JDH recalls visiting Lady Callcott in 1829. JDH hopes that on his return his aunt will teach him an appreciation for art. JDH has missed music & art whilst at sea. He has heard no music since the band of the HMS 'Carysfort' played at Berkeley Sound in the Falkland Islands. When previously in Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] JDH found the ladies at Government House very musical. Now, in Simon's Bay he goes to see the band of HMS 'Winchester' every day, even though they are not very good. JDH has just heard the news about the subjugation of Kabul & Afghanistan, so Gurney [Turner] should no longer be in danger, JDH sends Gurney his regards & good luck in India. JDH wrote to Dawson [Turner] from the Falklands, he hopes his uncle can find less taxing work, as his father has done in leaving Glasgow for Kew. JDH hopes to be in England in 5 months.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Thomas Henderson
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[5 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 9.303
Summary:
Sending readings from his observations of the comet.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Fox Talbot
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[5 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 17.316
Summary:
Comments on JH's positive calotype. Suggests comet may be return of (J.-D.) Cassini's comet of 1668. Gives theorem for finding parabolic orbit of comet if two observations are made in the ecliptic.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
James Kemplay
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[7 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 11.78
Summary:
Sends a paper of his brother, Christopher Kemplay, on a theory respecting comets. Has already submitted it to James Challis, who objects to some points. Would be glad of JH's comments.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Kemp
Date:
7 Apr [1843]
Source of text:
Cambridge University Library (MS Add. 10252/14) (gift of Ruth Cramond and David Cramond)
Summary:
CD will sent seeds to specialists for identification.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Lindley
Date:
8 [Apr 1843]
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Lindley letters, A–K: 189–90)
Summary:
CD sends seeds found by W. Kemp of Galashiels with explanation and request that they be planted and a report sent to him, so that Kemp may publish his discovery if results are interesting.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Octavian Blewitt
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 April 1843]
Source of text:
RAS:JH Archive 3/8.13; Reel 7
Summary:
Invites JH to 10 May anniversary dinner of Literary Fund Society.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Whewell
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 18.201
Summary:
Asks JH about a comet JH had been observing. Notes the publication of J. S. Mill's System of Logic, describing it as closer to JH's than to WW's position.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
John Lindley
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[after 8 Apr 1843]
Source of text:
DAR 50: A23
Summary:
Will be happy to report on seeds sent by CD. Suggests names.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Lyell, 1st baronet
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[9 Apr 1843]
Source of text:
DAR 170: 81, 205.9: 393
Summary:
Spoke to Henry Warburton, W. H. Fitton, and E. B. Greenough on CD’s idea of a Government grant for publication [not identified].
Will read at next meeting his paper on erect Nova Scotia fossil trees [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 4 (1843–5): 176–8].
E. P. Halstead reports on shores rising off Burma and Bay of Bengal.
Unpacking his U. S. fossils.
Phillips looked at beds below coal in Pennsylvania. Result is the usual different species found but with complete representation of forms.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Maria Hooker (nee Turner)
Date:
9 April 1843
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.189-191, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH informs his Mother, Maria Hooker, that at Cape of Good Hope he has got many letters & affectionate tokens from her. JDH has sent home Davis' circumpolar chart showing the expedition route. JDH has not been to Cape Town yet as he has no good clothes. The only 'society' is the crew of the Flag ship. Simon's Bay village has provided some fresh supplies. Letter continues under date 29 Apr 1843 with excuses for delay &again under date 12 May 1843 having left Simon's Bay. Describes trip from Simon's Bay to Cape Town on a bullock wagon road, includes a small sketch illustration of a wagon driver in typical hat. The route encompassed False Bay, Cape Flats, oak plantations at the foot of Muysenberg [Muizenberg] Mountain, view of Table Mt, David's Mt & the area beyond known in South Africa as 'Hottentots Holland', Wynberg village, an estate called 'Paradise', & 'Feldhauzen' where John Herschell catalogued the southern hemisphere stars. Comments on Herschell calling the Ross Antarctic Expedition 'the folorn hope of Science'. En Route to Cape Town also went through Rondenbosch village, over the slopes of Devils Mt & saw the view of Table Bay with the Royal Observatory & shipwreck. Describes the 'wretched' view of Cape Town flanked by Lion & Devils Mountain. Describes Cape Town itself: the houses, streets, castle & street sellers. The library & Baron Ludwig's Gardens are its only redeeming features. JDH briefly met Mr Jadine. JDH is dismissive of the 'ugly fir trees' in the town. Describes the Cape Town people: African-born Dutch known as 'Africandoes', Malay, Indian soldiers & Merchant Navy sailors. Recounts his visit to Baron Ludwig, Ludwig's current situation, health & house. Ludwig has replaced William Jackson Hooker's portrait with William of Wurtemberg, but still has the copy of Peter Schlemihl from JDH's grandfather. This letter will go from St Helena. Discusses his mother taking up music again & the singing talents of other family members. Writes about 'Betsy'.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Caroline Lucretia Herschel
Date:
[12 April 1843]
Source of text:
TxU:H/L-0588.8; Reel 1058
Summary:
Concerning the great comet of 1843, JH remarks that both Thomas Henderson and Johann Encke noted that the comet bounced off the sun's atmosphere.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
H. Cubitt
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[13 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 5.382
Summary:
There is to be another cliff-blasting. Gives details of travel arrangements.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
René J. H. Dutrochet
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 April 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 6.519
Summary:
Has received the two memoires on photographic processes and rays of the solar spectrum. Presumes JH has now received his own work on Physical researches. Comments on various electrical experiments.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Dawson Turner
Date:
17 April 1843
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.192-193, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH has received a letter from his Grandfather, Dawson Tuner, dated Feb 1842. He apologises for not writing sooner, but Turner will have seen other family letters from JDH. Regrets Turner has been ill. Has heard from Aunt Elizabeth [Palgrave nee Turner] about Hannah [Brightwen nee Turner's] marriage & Ellen [Eleanor Jane Jacobson nee Tuner's] children & Gurney [Turner's] prospects. JDH & Gurney are both surgeons with military commissions & JDH sympathises with Gurney's need to travel & support himself. JDH hopes Dawson Turner junior finds a job more fitting to his education than teaching. Regrets that Uncle [Francis] Palgrave was rejected for Town Clerkship of London. He does not have recent news of his family & has to read about them in the 'Red Book'. He does not know why his father, William Jackson Hooker, is not listed as Director of RBG Kew or indeed in any position under the Commissioner of Woods & Forests. JDH believes John Smith is Kew's head gardener. JDH tells his Grandfather how he has found the Antarctic Expedition, Captain Ross has been very considerate, JDH likes life on ship but prefers being in harbour & would not spend more summers in the Antarctic ice because of the monotony & discomfort with no chances to make natural history collections as there is in the Arctic. The expedition is now preparing to return home, where JDH will devote himself to the study of Botany. He would like to travel again, as a naturalist if he can afford it, on a land expedition or if Ross goes to the North Pole. JDH never liked medicine, he hopes to work assisting his father, or will stay in the Navy after taking further exams. He could stay in the Navy on half pay & resign when assigned to a ship but feels that would be dishonourable, as he only took the commission to be useful to science. JDH gets on well with his shipmates & has met friends all over the world during the expedition. JDH does not think that the expedition will gain him more than 'a fair name'.
Contributor:
Hooker Project