From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Samuel Pickworth Woodward
Date:
[Apr 1850 – Jan 1851]
Source of text:
Wellcome Collection
Summary:
Thanks JWF and G. R. Waterhouse for cirripede specimens.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Biddell Airy
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[1 April 1850]
Source of text:
RGO 6.143.9
Summary:
Comments on a number of possibilities for the post at Trivandrum [see JH's 1850-3-20].
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[1 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.148
Summary:
Giving his views on the proposed supply of a large reflector for the Cape Observatory.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
George Biddell Airy
Date:
[2 April 1850]
Source of text:
RGO 6.143.11
Summary:
Thanks GA for his 1850-4-1, and provides details of a likely candidate.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Masters
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Apr 1850
Source of text:
DAR 77: 168–9
Summary:
Replies to CD’s questions regarding impregnation of peas, beans, cabbages, and other plants by insects, wind, etc.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Johannes Japetus Smith (Japetus) Steenstrup
Date:
3 Apr [1850]
Source of text:
Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Copenhagen (NKS 3460 4to)
Summary:
Describes progress of research on fossil cirripedes. Comments on specimens sent by JS. Asks about age of several European formations, and for information about specimens.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
L. H. Robson
Date:
[5 April 1850]
Source of text:
DMC 695A.885.2
Summary:
Sends some post office stamps to pay for a 'certificate'.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Sir William Jackson Hooker
Date:
5 April 1850
Source of text:
JDH/1/10 f.273, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH writes to present General Jung Bahadur Rahan [Rana] Prime Minister of Nepaul [Nepal], his brothers, & other members of the Nepaul mission. JDH is indebted to JB for his 1848 Nepal trip. JB is also a friend to [Brian Houghton] Hodgson, [Archibald] Campbell & [Charles] Thoresby. JDH asks that they are shown the Himalayan plants [at RBG Kew] & that WJH takes a drive with them from Kew Gardens to Richmond Hill. Captain Kavanagh accompanies the gentlemen & can make arrangements. JDH suggests Dr [Nathaniel] Wallich & Royle meet the party at the Gardens.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Thomas Warton Jones
To:
Royal Society Grants Committee
Date:
5 April 1850
Source of text:
MM/21/72, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
From:
Agnes Baillie
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[6 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.23
Summary:
Letter of thanks and good wishes.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
C. Gubbins
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[6 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 9.150
Summary:
Has just received the Admiralty Manual. Thinks it would be helpful if some tables for determining the heights of mountains by means of the barometer could be included in the next edition. Points out an error in the Nautical Almanac.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 and 7 Apr 1850
Source of text:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (India Letters 1847–51: 274–6 JDH/1/10)
Summary:
Spoke too harshly about CD’s involvement in nomenclatural reform.
JDH used to think CD "too prone to theoretical considerations about species", hence was pleased CD took up a difficult group like barnacles. CD’s theories have progressed but JDH not converted. Sikkim has not cleared up his doubts about CD’s doctrines.
Argument with Falconer.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joanna Baillie
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[6 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.23a
Summary:
Letter of thanks and good wishes.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 April 1850
Source of text:
JDH/1/10 f.274-276, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
Charles Darwin [CD] has not been absent from JDH's thoughts during the long break in their correspondence. He probably spoke too strongly about CD's species work & barnacles. speculates that CD was once prone to theoretical considerations about species & unaware of certain difficulties which JDH thought a more intimate acquaintance with species might clear up. Hence was pleased CD took up a difficult group like barnacles. CD's theories have progressed but JDH is not converted. He thought the transitions from one form to another in Sikkim would be more apparent. CD reasons rightly about JDH's Yangma valley; it is undoubtedly a vast moraine. He rejects the Himalayas as an independent chain of mountains & seeks the axis of the great mountain system between the Yarou river & the plains of India. He considers the glaciers of the Himalayan range unrivalled & is convinced they are receding. Explains that it is a double chain likes CD's Andes. [Thomas] Thomson [TT] & [Hugh] Falconer [HF] both regard the greatest Asiatic axis as a sub meridional one. The whole mountain system is incredibly complicated & he exceedingly doubt's Humboldt's system of six Mountain chains. Letter continues under date of 7 Apr. JDH now with HF at Honorable East India Company Botanic Gardens. HF had kept all his letters & overland parcels for five months due to insane procrastination but is now forgiven. HF's society is as ever delightful. HF no longer associates with the Asiatic Society. JDH received CD's Feb letter today & learned that the cold water system has done him much good but is not a cure, JDH sends congratulations on the Darwins' seventh child. JDH came to Calcutta [Kolkata] to persuade Jung Bahadur [JB] to let him travel in Nepal but JB cannot guarantee his safety while absent in England. JDH will therefore go instead to Sylhet then the Khassya [Khasia] Hills & Munnipore [Manipur] with [TT].
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Thomas Salt
Date:
7 Apr [1850]
Source of text:
Rachel Salt (private collection); sold by Spink’s (dealers), July 2018
Summary:
Thanks for the information about a possible investment.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Richard Sheepshanks
Date:
[7 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.101 (C: RS:HS 25.9.65)
Summary:
Selection procedures for the vacant astronomy post at Trivandrum [see RS's 1850-3-31].
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Sir William Jackson Hooker
Date:
7 April 1850
Source of text:
JDH/1/10 f.277-279, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
JDH writes to his Father, William Jackson Hooker, about plans for the coming year & proposed trip to Nepal. Jung Bahadur [JB], Prime Minister of Nepal, & Thoresby will travel to England & bring letters. JDH plans to leave Calcutta [Kolkata] for Dorjiling [Darjeeling] on 9 Apr with [Thomas]Thomson & travel by water to Sylhet the Khassya & Munnepore. Comments on the work of Falconer & Griffiths in the Calcutta Botanic garden. Describes affect on resources from selling the garden's timber cheaply. Describes work to replace turpentine paths with leading walks as at RBG Kew, to replant the wilderness, & to construct a Palmetum, Pandanetum, & Arboretum. They are restoring Wallich’s summer house in the Nepal Garden. Falconer is getting on well with orchideae. Thoresby & General JB will advise on proposed trip to Nepal. Lord Dalhousie, Colvile & others encourage the trip, & advise JDH to seek permission from the Woods & Forests Department. JDH asks WJH to consult Prof. Henslow, Mr Phillipps & Frances Henslow on subject. He would not be able to leave Nepal until 18 Nov 1851. He would leave Ceylon [Sri Lanka], go to Bombay [Mumbai] & catch a steamer in Jan. Asks WJH to speak to Sir H. Willock, Royle & Wallich regarding Thomson’s furlough. Reminds WJH to thank Cecil Beadon for opium things. JDH criticises Bellenden Ker. Reports the Larch & Rhododendrons are successful but many died in the heat. His map of Calcutta is at the Surveyor General's & will then be sent to WJH. JDH's collections will be sent in Jan. He is angry not to be on the Athenaeum committee & will join the Oriental instead. Reports safe arrival of copies of RHODODENDRONS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYA & his Journal.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Augustus Addison Gould
Date:
8 Apr [1850]
Source of text:
Houghton Library, Harvard University (Augustus A. Gould papers, 1831–66 MS Am 1210: 228)
Summary:
Parcel from AAG containing cirripede specimens has been received by CD from Hugh Cuming.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
[William Parsons (Lord Rosse)?]
Date:
[10 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS MC.4.340
Summary:
Discusses changes in system of awarding R.S.L. Royal Medals.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir Robert Harry Inglis
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[10 April 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 10.245
Summary:
Found his letter and petition waiting for him on his return from East Kent, and had already presented it to the House of Commons. Outlines the events.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project