Thanks JH for FB becoming Associate member of Astronomical Society; FB is planning to prepare a new major star catalogue.
Thanks JH for FB becoming Associate member of Astronomical Society; FB is planning to prepare a new major star catalogue.
Received Smith's letter of 17 [April 1822]; in spite of 12-month interruption of their corresondence his regard for Smith "unaltered and unalterable". The Linnean Society blackballed a man "because he had not treated their President with the respect which he so highly deserves". [Joseph] Sabine has sent Smith a paper of his. Printing of "Linnean Transactions" goes on "very slowly", which vexes him much as he knows the Society at large will blame him for delay.
Unable to go to London tomorrow as he is suffering from one of his "old inflammatory attacks on the lungs", but hopes to be well enough to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting by staying at Mr [Thomas] Forster's in Hackney, [Middlesex], for a week beforehand. [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868), entomologist] will attend Society on Tuesday to be admitted, will bring [Joseph] Sabine's paper.
WS asks that his name be given to the Astronomical Society and attaches a copy of observation of double stars made at Dorpat. WS also inquires about copies he had previously sent to William Herschel and to the R.S.L., offering to replace them if they have been lost.
Has received the first book of the Memoirs of the Astronomical Society but had to pay duty on the packet.
All disappointed not to see Smith on 7 [May 1822], Linnean Society Council meeting adjourned until 21 May in the hope that Smith can attend. New FMLS elected.
Sending 9 plates and 2 patterns of "Flora Graeca". Asks how Smith goes on with the new "Flora Anglica" ["English Flora"], and if Smith provides a list will make up all deficiencies and a supplement to "English botany". Believes the Linnaean system "will gain ground again".
Sends a copy of a work he has written on Shipbuilding. Also sends the letter of [Robert] Seppings on circular stress.
Thanking him for his poems. Will print some; is returning the remainder.
Leaving town for a week. Will read [Francis Beaufort's] book after return. Delighted by 'two instances of good fortune' in one week at Union Place [HK's home].
Received letter and packet from J. J. von Littrow, with request that TC order clock from Robert Molyneux for Littrow. Encloses Littrow's Vienna observations.
Informs JH of arrangement for carriage conveyance to Deptford Yard.
Regarding the tables. Would like to see J. J. Littrow's observations. Regarding the printing of various papers in the memoirs.
Comments on library facilities available to JG, followed by family news.
Thanks CS of Gray's Inn for being willing to introduce JH to Mr. Clift.
On behalf of the Astronomical Society, JH thanks JD for a copy of JD's Histoire de l'astronomie moderne. JH tells JD about an interesting Arabic manuscript relating to the history of astronomy at Cambridge University, which JH will have copied for JD. In a postscript dated 15 June, JH apologizes for problems encountered in shipping printed material to JD.
Has received his communication via Gilbert Elliot (2nd Earl of Minto). Comments on the chances of [J. C.?] Schenck succeeding in business in England.
Frederick [Smith's brother] still in town. Account of his time in London: visited Westminster Abbey; dined with [William Fitt] Drake at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's; tiring Audit and Council meetings [at Linnean Society]; Linnean Society anniversary meeting; a wish expressed for a bust of Smith to be made by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor], as companion to the one of Sir Joseph Banks; only 49 present at the dinner, compared to 70 last year, held in the Free Masons' tavern; Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] and [Edward] Rudge informed him that the agricultural distress "is in a great measure imaginary"; visit to the British gallery with the Drake and Harriet [Drake's wife?]; went to Royal Institution, is not lecturing this year, but finds they are much called for, may lecture next year, London Institution have also asked him to lecture; visited the Miss Blackwells and assumed they were grave on account of [Thomas William] Coke's marriage but was in fact sudden death of Duchess of Grafton; visits to Lord Stanley, Lady Anson, Lady Scott wife of Sir Claude Scott, Duke of Norfolk, Lady Petre, and Lady Hervé and Miss Caton. Meeting with Coke and Lady Anne, his new wife; alterations at Holkham. Visits to R Kindersley [Smith's cousin]; Lord Stafford's pictures; Lady Banks; [James] Sowerby; the Munros; Major and Mrs Sandham. Plans to visit Sir Thomas Cullum in Bury, [Suffolk]. His feverish and pulmonary symptoms all gone. Harriet admitted a fellow of the Linnean Society in form. Saw [Dawson] Turner at anniversary meeting. Mr Crabbe received £3000 from Murray for copyright to his poems.
Thanks for the Nautical Almanac. Still requires R.S.P.T. for 1817. Through Francis Baily he will receive copies of his Yearbook, one for his father and one for the R.S.L.
Thanks him on behalf of the Astronomical Society for his Histoire de l'astronomie moderne. Gives details of a paper on Arabic manuscripts in the Cambridge Philosophical Transactions. Have D. F. J. Arago and J. N. Nicollet received his letter?