Has now succeeded in grinding his 20" speculum and it is ready for polishing. Would like to see the mounting of JH's telescope as it is not clear from the engraving.
Acknowledges receipt of the order for £48 4s. 8d., and offers full indemnity for the £5,000 deposited without security.
Astonished that dust sample contains Infusoria. Thinks dust is volcanic. Will write account of falling dust [see 775]. Offers further samples.
Asks that in the event of his death, Emma should have the sketch of his species theory edited and published. Suggests possible editors, among them Lyell, Edward Forbes, and J. D. Hooker. [CD annotation on cover: "Hooker by far best man to edit my species volume Aug 1854".]
Remembers taking him round the chemical works of Losh, Wilson and Bell, but is unable to give any news of the manuscript as Mr. Losh is away on the continent. Hopes he will visit them again in the future.
No summary available.
A. T. Kupffer proposes international meeting of authorities in terrestrial magnetism. ES suggests combining this with 1845 meeting of B.A.A.S. at Cambridge. Plans for publishing observations before Cambridge meeting.
Hopes to have the corrected copy of his father's History ready in about 10 days. If JH will give him the style and address of Dr. [Josiah?] Quincy he will send it direct.
No summary available.
Thanks for shipments of earth samples. Sends copy of article describing Infusoria in samples ["Einige vorläufige Resultate … über das Verhalten des kleinsten Lebens in den Oceanen", Ber. k. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (1844): 182–207]. Asks for more information and samples, especially from the soundings of Ross’s expedition.
Now a long time since she has written but she has happy memories of their last meeting. Is anxious about the posthumous fame of her son. Would be pleased to hear news of the family.
Announces the discovery of a new comet by [Heinrich] D'Arrest, a university student. Wilhelm Struve has seen it.
Hoping to publish a register of examples of curves based on his own Septenary system of generating lines. Would JH be interested?
Health and weather permitting, CD proposes to visit Kew.
Birth of JH's daughter [Mathilda Rose]. JH's 'little travelers' will arrive soon to visit Baldwins at Anstey.
Reports the birth of JH's 9th child, Mathilda Rose Herschel.
Believes that rather than asking the government for more money to continue making magnetic observations, the six years of observations should be studied to see if further observations can be justified.
When his packet is ready for the Cape, forward it to him at the Admiralty and he will arrange for it to be sent. Congratulations on the new addition to the family. When next in town perhaps he would be interested in seeing the new object glass for the Cape, which William Simms is preparing.
Ship is ordered for Lt. Clark's excursion. Feels certain that Lord Stanley has consulted colonial governor.
JH is premature in concluding that international meeting of magnetic researchers would result in appeal to British government for funds to continue B.A.A.S. observatories beyond 1845. ES has not reviewed later observations [1842-43] and cannot judge whether observations have met original goals of R.S.L. and B.A.A.S. Agreement by Robert Peel and F. I. Brunnov on need for longer period of observations. Affirms value of JH's role in evaluating results of survey.