CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.
CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.
Asks Whewell questions on earthquake wave action.
Thanks him for signature [to CD’s request to Chancellor of the Exchequer for funds for Zoology].
Informs him of J. B. Jukes’s plans concerning the Newfoundland survey post.
Asks WW to alter, before printing, the passages in WW’s Presidential Address to the Geological Society [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1839): 93] which pointedly allude to the delay in publication of CD’s Beagle journal; they might annoy FitzRoy, who, as Captain, has a right to first use of the papers of all officers on board.
Thanks WW for wedding gift.
Expresses admiration for his History of the inductive sciences [1837].
No summary available.
Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in JH's area.
Asks about WW's mathematical investigations. JH's book on algebra is progressing. Describes mathematical investigations by [Edward] Bromhead in calculus of factors. Misses Cambridge.
Is pursuing mathematical investigations with Charles Babbage. Asks WW to check whether George Peacock is progressing in printing the Supplement to Lacroix's volume.
Grateful for WW's comments on investigations of [Simon] Stevin. JH's work on polarization of light. Discovery of multiple axes of polarization was preempted by David Brewster. Diagrams polarization of niter crystals and Iceland spar.
Thanks WW for and expresses agreement with WW's analysis of Simon Stevin. Describes experiments JH is conducting on the polarization of light.
Praises WW's new book [Elementary Treatise on Mechanics]; is working to get WW elected to the R.S.L. Criticizes a pamphlet by George Peacock. Comments on rules proposed for the new Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Provides detailed travel suggestions for WW's planned trip to the continent. Asks WW to deliver letters to various European scientists.
Thanks WW for drawing of Monte Rosa. Comments on a recent political election.
Gives advice on WW's planned trip to Europe. Asks WW to contact various scientists there on JH's behalf.
Comments favorably on a method developed by WW for designating the faces of crystals. Presents a method JH had worked out previously, but writes on the letter: 'Not sent—On rereading his letter I find it is his idea—strange!'
Praises and comments on some proposals made by WW for designating the faces of crystals. Urges him to present his method to the R.S.L.
Advises WW on how to submit WW's paper on crystallography to the R.S.L. Asks him to visit Henry White.
Strongly praises WW's completed paper on crystallography. Questions one point in it.
Reports on the reception of WW's crystallography paper at the R.S.L. Asks WW to add a comment on the paper's relation to a paper in David Brewster's journal. Asks WW to contact George Peacock.