Letter from John Frederick William Herschel, Collingwood to Charles Grey

Description

Refers to Professor Phillips letter of 21st October 1859 regarding the magnetic and meteorological observations proposed by the British Association. Herschel outlines the Associations proposals regarding magnetic and meteorological observations, to be laid before Prince Albert. Discussion regarding the expense of this endeavour. Refers to continuous observations at stations in Vancouver’s Island, Newfoundland, The Falkland Islands and on the coast of China, and the nature of the observations. Refers to instruments to be employed. Includes extracts of resolutions submitted to the treasury by the President of The Royal Society and the British Association and discusses the annual expenditure of each observatory. Discusses the requirement of the building to house instruments, who the ‘personnel’ will consist of and reference to their payment. Reference to other observatories across the globe. Discussion regarding ‘stations’ in the northern and southern hemispheres. Reference to Prince Albert's possible advocacy for these measures.

Reference number

MS/257/2/287

Earliest possible date

2 November 1859

Physical description

Ink on paper

Page extent

18 pages

Format

Manuscript

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