From:
Ada Byron (King)
To:
Mary Somerville
Date:
5 Feb 1837
Source of text:
MSBY 3 / 65, Dep. c. 367, Bod, MS
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Brigitte Stenhouse
No summary available.
Will be a great reception for JH when he returns. Is working on a theory of probabilities. Francis Baily is the man for mapping the entire heavens. G. B. Airy is to test JH's topsy-turvy observations of Orion.
Sends a small dispatch from J. D. Forbes. The barometer seems to have no connection with the weather this winter. Had a snow shower but could see no clouds in the sky. Preparing for the occultation of Mars.
Has just given a paper [on "Sand tubes"] at Cambridge Philosophical Society and exhibited some specimens. It went well, with Whewell and Sedgwick taking an active part.
Herschel thinks 6000–odd years since the creation not nearly long enough to explain the separations from a single stock.
Interested in Lyell’s address [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 2 (1833–8): 479–523]. Asks what the points are on which CD and Lyell are fully agreed.
Inquires about the paper FitzRoy and CD wrote on missionaries ["Moral state of Tahiti" (1836), Collected papers 1: 19–38].
News of family.
News of family and friends.
Caroline repeats story told to R. W. Darwin of FitzRoy’s feeling of obligation to Captain John White, from whom he gained release to marry Miss O’Brien.
Fanny Biddulph has had a son.
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Sending more barometric observations. Interesting articles by S. D. Poisson and D. F. J. Arago. Peculiar crimson light seen in the sky recently. The 'Beagle' will sail in May and will call on JH.
No summary available.
Sending a letter via Capt. Basil Hall. Is surprised JH did not mention the starry showers of 12 Nov. in his last letter, D. F. J. Arago is investigating them. J. B. Biot has published an extension of [Denison?] Olmsted's theory. Humphrey Lloyd has produced an interesting book on the undulatory theory. What measure does JH employ for the force of the wind? Has got William Whewell's anemometer. Influenza prevalent. William Farish has been succeeded by Robert Willis.
Miss Pattle and C. R. Prinsep, Secretary of Government Proceedings, are going to Cape of Good Hope and will bring JP's Journals of the Asiatic Society to JH.
Thanks JH for drawing of JH's house. Sends drawing of JL's Hartwell Observatory and publications from the observatory.
No summary available.
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"I could think of nothing for days after your lesson on coral reefs, but of the top of submerged continents. It is all true, but do not flatter youself that you will be believed, till you are growing bald, like me, with hard work & vexation at the incredulity in the world."
Communicated JH's letter of 30 Sept. [1836] to the Albany Institute. Hopes JH received meteorological register of observation points in U.S., which are increasing in number. Sent meteorological reports to societies and individuals JH requested. Describes barometer and temperature measurements in wells and barometer extremes in great December storm. W. C. Redfield of New York says duration of observation periods recommended by JH is too short.
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Received JH's letter with pleasure; delayed replying as hoping to comment. Theories have been shown to Charles Lyell, William Whewell, etc. Gives his own comments on JH's theory. Installed Whewell as President of the Geological Society. Pleased JH is to become a subscriber to RM's book, which moves slowly along. Received a collection of fossils from Fernando Po recently.