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Richards's Coffee house, Temple Bar - Thanks WW for his letter which contains many excellent schemes. EB has been with Babbage and Herschel: 'we have had a kind of committee of notation' and 'have agreed also upon a Digest, of which you must take part. It consists of a collection of all known algebraic results, arranged in the order of Deduction'.

7 Camden St. & Town - Charles Babbage has written to the Vice-President, Capt. Smyth, 'charging our minutes' with negligence. He claims Whewell made a motion at the general meeting which was seconded, and when put from the chair it was negatived, he has no memory of this and asks for his recollection of the event.

7 Camden St. & Town - WW's practice of keeping letters will rank next to George Airy 'for extreme method', which he caricatures. Discusses his dispute with Sir William Hamilton, who is recovering from illness and will be treated with consideration; describes what he did when he realised their conclusions were similar. Is glad Whewell's recollection of the meeting is the same as De Morgan's, and will have a meeting with Charles Babbage privately about it.

16 Suffolk Street - WW wants RJ to finish his work on wages: 'I have sometimes a notion that you imagine yourself to be less idle than you really are'. Charles Babbage returned to Cambridge with some intention of lecturing - 'but finding he was not likely to have an audience or to be considered as performing any act of extraordinary attention to usual rules and duties, he came back still an unlecturing professor'.

HJR poses two optical difficulties: (1). concerning the spokes on a carriage wheel and (2.) an effect involving a candle, plane reflector and a common magnifying glass. HJR has been attending Sir Joseph Banks's evening parties. He has seen a good deal of Charles Babbage: 'Babbage is what Babbage was - but he is acquiring the respect of all the better part of the scientific world by his total absence of all quackery or pretension[.] MacCulloch [John MacCulloch] the geologist is a constant resident nearly in this house and I wish very much you could come and discuss Sir Humphrey Davy with him'. MacCulloch does not think Davy's discoveries are scientific but rather the product of chance. Has WW seen Jeremy Bentham's 'Church of Englandism [Jeremy Bentham, 'Church of Englandism and its Catechism Examined', 1818] It is half suppressed - Such a book - but I cannot in this letter give you an account of it. I believe I shall be introduced to him in a few days'.

Trinity College - WW is concerned with RJ's health and lifestyle. When RJ has 'time [after writing his book on wages] you shall write your fill about the economical conditions of political institutions but pray do not set off on this cross road at present'. RJ should not start with just any principle: 'If any truth is to be got at pluck it when it has grown ripe, and do not like the deductive savages cut down the tree to get at it'. WW has been reading 'the St. Simonian - who is the man that writes the exposition? - he must be a fine fellow: I am entirely charmed with the beauty and coherence of great part of his theory...his theory of organic and critical periods is constructed and followed into its various developments with consummate perception of the period state and tendency of men's thought and the cravings of their nature. I do not think the doctrine of the perpetual diminution of anlaganism is quite so well made out; and the assumption of a complete difference in kind between the next organic period and all preceding ones is as appears to me quite forced and illogical'. WW agrees with RJ that there 'are as you say several right notions about the character of science - one in which they have hit on the same way which I have used for nearly the same thing. The conceptions which must exist in the mind in order to get by induction a law from a collection of facts: and the impossibility of inducting or even of collecting without this. ' Charles Babbage told WW that he had a project of publishing a book like John Herschel's ['A Preliminary Discourse on Natural Philosophy', 1830]. WW agrees with RJ's view of Charles Babbage's new book ['On the Economy of Manufactures', 1832]: 'But still there is a great deal of ingenuity in his speculations and the one you mention about skilled labour is I think the brightest of them. Moreover the book is of a kind which will receive its full need of praise in these days'.

Brasted - RJ appreciates WW's 'uneasy feelings and thinkings, I know very well that nothing but time will set you right again'. Babbage's wife has died - 'Poor Babbage - what an inseparable blow I hope he will bear up against it bravely but I feel anxious to hear of him - Ryan's children too are motherless as well as his own'.

Lancaster - WW has been moving from one part of the country to another since the BAAS meeting at Newcastle. He met RJ's friend, Sir James Graham, who speaks very well of RJ: 'he tells me that he has proposed this as a prize question for the new agricultural association: What are the causes of the difference in prosperity of Belgium and Ireland, since you have in both the same small properties and individual labour, and the same religion'. There was a dispute at Newcastle: 'Babbage [Charles Babbage] has behaved with great bitterness to Murchison [Roderick Murchison] and tried to get him drummed out of the association in which he failed'. WW refused to support 'Babbage's dogma that men of science in England are a dogmatical race'.

WW has been meaning to write to HJR for some time 'for the purpose of remonstrating with you as to one or two things more hard than was necessary which you have said of my friends the experimental philosophers'. WW cannot imagine why HJR 'should charge mathematics with being useful and with strengthening the memory, when you may easily know that all of the science which we learn here is devoid of all practical use; and I can give you plenty of testimony that it may produce the effect of very thoroughly spoiling memories naturally good, besides giving you psychological reasons why it should do so if you wish for them. Nor do I think that you quite fairly represent the nature of progress in scientific knowledge when you talk of its consisting in the rejection of present belief in favour of novelty; at any rate if the novelty be true one does not see what else is to be done. But, to tell the truth, I am persuaded that there is not in the nature of science anything unfavourable to religious feelings, and if I were not so persuaded I should be much puzzled to account for our being invested, as we so amply are, with the faculties that lead us to the discovery of scientific truth. It would be strange if our Creator should be found urging us on in a career which tended to a forgetfulness of Him. I have undertaken to preach at St. Mary's next February, and may possibly take that opportunity of introducing some of my own views on this subject'. WW is not surprised HJR likes the Master of Trinity [Christopher Wordsworth] so much 'for he always strikes me as most admirable in respect of principles, affections and temper'. If French is made Lucasian Professor, WW will be very upset - 'It will be making the office contemptible, and will besides be a clear proof that there is no greater dispositiion here to select people for their fitness to offices than there has been in previous times; that we do not feel the responsibility of our situation. I wish Babbage had any chance. He would be an admirable person, and so would Airy who is also a candidate'.

RJ is pleased WW has 'finished me up' ['Review of An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and the Sources of Taxation by the Revd Richard Jones', The British Critic, Quarterly Theological Review and Ecclesiastical Record, 1831]: 'I much wish if you can do it that you would slightly state that the argument drawn from landlords proportion is decisive against Ricardo on his own shewing but only probable in itself - the changed proportion of population is I think unassailable - indeed I feel sure - also where you state that the Irish starvation would not have taken place in metayer or serf countries and unless under very peculiar and rare circumstances for I have found a case and oddly enough of absentee landlords'. Could WW also state that RJ had only consulted McCulloch's first edition and was not probably aware of the second, since had he seen it he would have added a particular quotation. RJ will not send WW any classification of the population until he is less sure it is erroneous: 'Babbage could help us to the auxiliary manufacturing (one of the most difficult) but I little doubt his willingness - he is good humouredly but evidently thoroughly jealous of his discoveries - as if he had a power of making them as diminutive as it really is extraordinary and vast - he has thought and collected on that very point I suspect - by the bye he says I hear that he could fancy I was talking while he read the book ['An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and on the Sources of Taxation', 1831] - the greatest compliment I hold that has been paid to its style yet'. Moreover he recognises 'the fruit and spirit of the undergraduate' concerns 'of the good old set in every page'. Does not WW think it comical that since he last wrote 'I have found out that a tenantry is forming in America - that it is not like the English or quite like any of the old forms but a fresh variety of the metayer [see RJ to WW, 7 March 1831] - what a lesson to guesses but then you know I did not set about guessing till I was twisted into it '.

Trinity College - WW has had confirmation that Herschel [John Herschel] will not be coming forward for the vacant office of Lucasian Chair of Mathematics. 'Babbage [Charles Babbage] is making application and has written to people here on the subject. He has no chance whatever and it is mere extravagance, at least as appears to me, his taking up the thing. I do undoubtedly believe that he would be a good Professor now, but it is too much to expect that our heads should understand not only his merits, but the varying shape of them as time and circumstances may have modified it'. WW thinks Peacock [George Peacock] the most desirous candidate: 'I suppose Airy [George Airy] will not think of offering him for though he would be a better professor, it would be ungracious in him to fight Peacock - and after all it makes no difference. For French if he be a candidate will undoubtedly be elected'.

Trinity College - WW is preparing the sermons he is to give at St. Mary's in February. He is shortly departing with Sedgwick [Adam Sedgwick] on an expedition to Paris. He is behind in writing the sermons: 'with time enough I should not fear the greater part of the work - all the argument about the activity and omnipresence of the Deity, but when I come to the indications of benevolent design in the moral frame of society I have not such an habitual familiarity with the view of the subject in its details as merits with the confidence and vehemence which would be becoming. I have no doubt I should get on better if I had you at my elbow'. Babbage is in Cambridge canvassing for the Lucasian Chair - John Herschel is here to support him - 'but all in vain'. George Airy has been elected. WW thinks this a good choice - he 'will reside and give lectures - practical and painstaking ones - who is par eminence a mathematician - and whose reputation will all go to the account of the university'.

Edinburgh - JDF's experiments with his subterranean thermometers have been so successful he has printed an early circular giving a first approximation of the results [attached to this letter - Discussion of One Year's Observations of Thermometers Sunk to Different Depths in Different Localities in the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh, private circulation, 1838: The aim of the experiments was to ascertain the progress of solar heat in the crust of the globe - see JDF to WW, 21 Sept. 1836]. JDF notes that Hopkins [William Hopkins] has been giving his views respecting the interior of the earth to the Royal Society: 'Are his results wholly dynamical or partly theoretical'. A pupil of JDF's has been investigating the temperature of the interior of the globe in the manner of S.D. Poisson but with P.L. Dulong and A.T. Petit's law. JDF came to Newcastle shortly after the BAAS meeting hoping to find WW. He saw Babbage [Charles Babbage]: 'as miserable as a man could well be after all his wanton mischief at Newcastle. He wished to make me a convert to his cause, but even by his own shewing he was so utterly in the wrong that there was no hope for him'. JDF has been at work on heat: 'trying to get the law of reflection at surfaces'.

Introduces Dwarkanauth Tagore, a "wealthy merchant" who is seeking a tutor for his children.

WW hopes to be working on etymological history, like HJR, in a week. His speculations on the subject 'have not advanced much farther than general notions of the points to be investigated and the method of philosophising upon them. I know nothing of Saxon though I have some intention of descending upon it from German'. HJR's successor on the Cambridge Union is Sheridan [Charles B. Sheridan]. WW is beginning 'to feel for poor Lacroix [Silvestre F. Lacroix] - if he be published at all it would be advisable that he should be out by next October; and for that he must be in the press immediately' [see WW to HJR, 15 April 1817]. The Fitzwilliam Museum is open and are in considerable danger of becoming all conoisseurs'. Has HJR seen Richard Jones in the pulpit? Charles Babbage 'has been here taking his degree and is just as mad about functions as he ever was '.

Mr Ewart has asked Babbage to introduce Wellwood Maxwell, an heir to considerable property, who is leaving Eton and heading to Trinity.

Regrets he cannot meet Mr V. Raumer at his house for dinner.

A note to arrange a visit.

RJ accepts WW's offer to be a bystander and gives up all idea of writing anything himself [responding to John McCulloch's adverse review of RJ's book - 'Review of An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and on the Sources of Taxation By the Rev. Richard Jones', Edinburgh Review, 1831]. However, RJ does think WW should see what he has written and he will send him a copy. He will also 'send back you Pryme's [George Pryme] letter. The professor's chemical illustration is so ingenious that it is almost a pity it is inapplicable - but though neither he nor McCulloch can comprehend it, yet the fact is (as you will see) that I have in tracing farmers rents made no such confusion as that which they complain of and I have asked pure rents and rejected returns to landlords improvements with a strictness of abstract analysis which ought to please them - but which has only puzzled them - as to the metayers - do turn to page 73 and 74 where I have stated nearly what Pryme states himself, as to the mixture of funds - I promised more. I am afraid his memory is not as good as might be wished for'. RJ is sorry WW is to be on the Council of the Royal Society. Does WW know that Charles Babbage is 'concocting some thunder to crush Daniel who preached against his Causes of Decline ['Reflections on the Decline of Science in England and on some of its Causes', 1830] in his inaugural lecture at King's College - B.'s murder of Sabine [Edward Sabine] has made him blood thirsty and adventurous - he will commit more slaughter very likely - but when a man runs amuck he always gets slain at last - this warlike project of his is a secret mind, pray do not let it escape or I shall have a taste of the create'. RJ is annoyed with WW over his decision to be on the Council of the Royal Society because 'I find to my infinite vexation that party feeling is still so high in turn that you will lose some of the good will of people not otherwise than estimable'. RJ's reviewer in the Quarterly Review 'is a man of fortune - a ministerialist - rather an ultra liberal and apparently so ashamed of writing in the Tory Journal that he makes a point of concealment which will not last long I dare say - even what I tell you however is to be a great secret' ['Review of An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and the Sources of Taxation By Rev. Richard Jones, Quarterly Review, 1831].

Trinity College - WW's comments on the printing plans of RJ's book: 'I do not suppose that there will be any objection to the plan you mention of taking your impression printed by the university if it so seems good to them and making with it in your hand the best bargain you can with a London bookseller' ['An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth, and on the Sources of Taxation: Part 1. - Rent', London, 1831]. WW does not know what a London bookseller would think of such a plan. The Mineralogy professorship is still uncertain and indeed may be terminated. There is another professorship vacant on the death of Woodhouse [Robert Woodhouse] which Airy [George Airy] will probably get, 'and the vacant one will be the Lucasian for which Babbage [Charles Babbage] was a candidate. Some people here hope that Herschel [John Herschel] will take it which I much doubt. I should rejoice to have Babbage, but I am not so sure that he...would succeed and not at all certain that he would now offer himself'.

Trinity College - WW hopes RJ's political economy is soon to appear. What does RJ think of the 'heads having elected Babbage [Charles Babbage elected to the Lucasian Chair] and how do you suppose he will take it?' George Peacock, Higman and WW wrote letters to each of the electors - 'so I shall be vexed if he is not gratified and now that he has no wife he may perhaps better like to live here part of the year'.

Brasted - RJ has been very ill and has taken to severe exercise (he weighs 16 stone). John Herschel is to visit RJ for a couple of days: 'His wife writes word that he has something to talk to me about - I earnestly hope it may not be his scheme of expatriation which I can neither relish nor find fault with'. RJ has received Charles Babbage's book or paper - 'An Essay on the General Principles which Regulate the Application of Machinery to Manufactures etc ['The Economy of Machinery and Manufactures', 1832]. It is a characteristic thing - full of ingenuity, precision and acuteness, and a strange collection of facts taken from his common place book - some striking and valuable - some trivial and uninteresting but all apparently of equal value in his estimation very loosely connected and forming a whole as little like an Essay on General Principles of any kind as can well be coupled with his former sketch to which it is inferior in method and I think in merit, it is to form a little book like Herschel's but unless he adds much prose and rearrangement it will when measured by its title be counted superficial I should think - all this of course entre nous - he sends it me that I may remark on the political economy - I see little or none except an explanation of the manner in which the division of labor saves skilled labor which is striking and true though not I think of first rate importance which I know he imagines it is - I shall shuffle in my answer to him for I know full well that my very deep conviction of his genius and power would be a poor atonement for letting him see that I think this a bagatelle - the matter would have told well mixed up with lectures'. RJ wants to write a book 'On the economic conditions of the existence of different political institutions starting with the radical (i.e. liberal) proposition that those forms of government are best which secure persons and property at the least expense and with the least sacrifice of individual free agency and then shewing that no forms or modification of one form can do this under all circumstances using some facts as to the generation of classes, revenues, and bands of connections which you have seen...tracing their influence as the possible combinations of executive - legislative and judicial powers in nations - appealing of course to history and the world as it is and stabbing the metaphysical and abstract constitution mongers home with facts and details and induction - voila'.