From:
unknown
To:
John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl
Date:
21 August 1828
Source of text:
MM/25/3, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
No summary available.
Translation of JH's article Light begun. Publisher is in Paris. Gives name of collaborator as [P. F.] Verhulst. Has heard of others translating JH's work. As director of Brussels observatory, AQ needs best works of astronomy. Would JH help?
Sends copy of his account of the achromatic telescope because JH did not receive the original. Constructing an achromatic telescope of 5-foot focal length.
Recently received telescope from the optician. Some adjustments are necessary. [Robert] Blair has a similar idea regarding telescopes. Asks JH to mention his idea to the Astronomical Society.
Gives permission to release his telescope proposal to others. Discusses the progress of the telescope. Considers modifying the arrangement of lenses.
Asks JH to report how James South's telescope performs. There was a defect in the settings of the telescope. Hopes JH's method of eliminating chromatic aberration improves the microscope.
Has received a letter from the Astronomical Society secretary. Worries AR may have offended JH and requests guidance. Describes performance of his telescope.
Requesting the opinion of JH's late father on the nebulae in Orion.
Is about to leave for England with Alphonse de Candolle. Gives news of his latest astronomical observations. Lists people he has met or hopes to meet.
Returns correspondence between [Lorenz] Spengler [(1720-1807), naturalist] and Linnaeus, along with other letters, including fragment of [Daniel] Solander letter, which Sir James [Edward] Smith had given her to look over.
Would be pleased to receive Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Difficulty of obtaining books from England. Revising his view on 'Scabiosa columbaria' following receipt of Smith's views, comments on confusion caused by it being given multiple names as mentioned in his last letter, with addition of 'Scabiosa acutiflora'. Debate on other 'Scabiosa' it could also be including 'Scabiosa maritima', 'Scabiosa atro-purpurea', 'Scabiosa indica', 'Scabiosa italica', 'Scabiosa argentea', 'Scabiosa rutafolia', and 'Scabiosa urceolata'. Desires Smith's opinion so is sending the 'Scabiosae' in question amongst other Italian plant specimens.
Many thanks for his communications, especially for the one on light. This may be translated into German by J. E. E. Schmidt, and he would be grateful if JH would authorize this to be done.
Thanks JH for Gold Medal from the Astronomical Society. Asks if JH knows the Imperial Astronomer [J. J. von] Littrow.
Describes a terrible hail-storm that broke all the windows in her house. Will send her Astronomical Society Medal for JH to store alongside his and William Herschel's medals.
Commenting on the praise that she received upon the awarding of her Astronomical Society Medal, she notes that 'whoever says too much of me says too little of your father!' Soon will send to JH 'every scrap of paper' that has assisted CH while writing her memoirs.
Sends packet of CH's personal papers to JH. Explains why CH destroyed her diary, which reminded her of painful last years in England before William Herschel's death.
His feelings on hearing of his being elected to the Lucasian professorship at Cambridge. Regarding Joseph Clement and the work on his machine.
Regarding Joseph Clement and the work on his machine. Account of his recent excursions.
No summary available.