Inquires about parcel of cirripede specimens lost in transit. Asks him to tell Steenstrup about the loss.
Queries regarding the statement by William Herschel on the time taken for the light from the stars to reach the earth. Have there been any new developments in this theory?
Asks to borrow specimen of Pollicipes from the Chalk.
Thanks TM for double star observations. Refers to convict incident in South Africa.
JDH knows that the Rajah spread news that he & [Archibald] Campbell [AC] were dead & wants to know if the misinformation reached England. He believes they will soon be released. He will then go to Nepal, where the Rajah is more honourable & has given Lord Dalhousie his consent for JDH to explore the region. He shall go once [Thomas] Thomson joins him & he has sent his collections to Darjeeling. JDH describes their imprisonment & the Bhotia authorities; the Lepcha people sympathise with them. The Lamas are now supporting them too. The Rajah is in a difficult situation; the Superintendent of Darjeeling will continue his course of action. JDH describes AC’s character & health. Their only contact with the Durbar [Court] is through a 'spy', Toba Singh, who misrepresents them to the Rajah. [Brian Houghton] Hodgson remains at Darjeeling to aid their communications & comfort Mrs AC. After Nepal, JDH hopes to visit Calcutta [Kolkata] or Bombay [Mumbai] before returning home in November.
Sends account of rainbow-like atmospheric phenomena; asks JH for an explanation. Remarks on American empirical discoveries. Too many hypotheses being put forward, including [Daniel] Kirkwood's. Comments on [B. A.] Gould and [Stephen] Alexander. Americans think they are absolute judges in scientific matters. Astronomische Nachrichten of 3 November contains improved method for computing planetary orbits.
Discusses J. D. Dana’s Geology [1849]. Pleased that the part on corals confirms his views [Coral reefs (1842)]. Discusses Dana’s observation that in Sandwich Islands lava streams often join dikes at right angles with no cone. Retracts earlier denial of this possibility. Criticises Dana’s view of Australian valleys.
JDH & Brian [Houghton Hodgson] [BHH] have both written to WJH about his situation. He explains the reason for [Archibald's] Campbell’s [AC] imprisonment: the Tartars & Bhothias believed that by capturing an authority they can bend him to their will. When this did not work, they invented offences in order to hold AC, but the Government have now intervened. The accusations are now of trespassing on the Thibet [Tibet] frontier. JDH & AC went there with the assent of the Chinese Lepchas & the Lachen Peppin who is the Sikkim authority. JDH’s Sirdars are in chains & his party disbanded, only Hopenar[?] remains. He discusses his seed collections & botanical matters, including Balanophora polyandra. The Nepal Terai is impassable until 15 Nov due to malaria & JDH will not travel to Calcutta [Kolkata] or Bombay [Mumbai] any earlier. [Nathaniel] Wallich will verify this. Lord Dalhousie will assist JDH & [Thomas] Thomson [TT] in applying to the Nepal Durbar. BHH is looking out for TT who has not yet arrived. JDH is glad Lindley liked his letter & thinks Klotzsch will make a mess of the collections of Prince Vladmier [Vladimir?]. With Wallich, Don & Hamilton working at cross-purposes, the whole Himalayan Flora is in the hands of JDH & TT. It can only be elucidated with Bogden & Wallich’s herbaria. JDH is sorry to hear of the Bishop of Norwich’s death & suggests Owen, if Brown will not take the position. Lord Derby was useless in the role. Bentham will offer sound advice. JDH discusses the wisdom of the Geological & Geographical Society in selecting men such as Hamilton, Lyle & Murchison.
Comments on JDD’s book [Geology (1849)]. Is sending copies of various geological papers. Their agreements and differences on coral reefs, volcanic geology, denudation, and subsidence.
Comments on Robert Chambers’ book [Ancient sea-margins (1848)].
Asks to borrow cirripede specimens.
Sends observations of Lambda Toucani and Zeta Eridani.
Continues discussion of Dana’s Geology [1849]. Comments on dikes of Hawaiian volcanoes and Dana’s view of craters of denudation. Compares role of sea and rivers in forming valleys. Criticises Dana’s treatment of CD’s account of coral reefs.
Even though he was Vice-Chancellor [of London University], he had no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the internal regulations of the colleges connected with the University. Regarding the education of young children. Sends some music for Lady Herschel. Would like them to pay him a visit.
Comments on AC’s experiments on Phlox and Mimulus.
Discusses his accounts.
Edward Sabine will recover. Please tell JH how grateful ES is for JH's positive remarks regarding his report. Discusses several scientific matters. Contains message from ES for JH on instrumentation at Kew Observatory.
Sends copies of his own papers and would be pleased to receive any of JH's in exchange. Is a candidate for the R.S.L. and would welcome JH's support in any way. Curious phenomenon seen on the surface of the moon in the Lake District.
Thanks for JH's candor and observations of W. H. Wollaston. A. L. Wigan revised book [Duality of the Mind (1844)] before death, but revision is still under review. Offensive passages will be removed, and JH's suggestions incorporated.
Learned of John Gorrie's mechanical ice-making method. Asks CM to send letter to JH recounting conversation of 11 Feb. 1848 in which JH told CM about JH's theory for making ice by compressing air. JH does not want to interfere with Gorrie's claim, but will submit CM's letter to Athenaeum and put on record, for sake of 'scientific history,' that JH was 'certain' that such a principle would work. Condolences for death of CM's partner.
Thanks JH for explanation of phenomena [see HS's 1849-12-4]. B. A. Gould [?] has begun to publish American version of Astronomische Nachrichten, but without strong financial backing.
Sends note with needed facts [related to JH's early discovery of principle for ice-making machine], plus paragraph that JH may wish to insert [in notice to Athenaeum].