Showing 9 results

Durham - Congratulating WW on his marriage and appointment as Master of Trinity College.

Durham - A Trinity man, George Richards, wants TC to get him a curacy. His family have disowned him due to an 'imprudent marriage'. Could WW supply him with information concerning his character. Wants to write a 'terminal lecture on the study of mathematical and Physical science as an intellectual exercise'. Has not been able to obtain a 2nd edition of WW's pamphlet with the reply to the Edinburgh Review [On a Liberal Education?]. Durham lacks a good bookseller. Wants to introduce a few words on Herschel's graphical method of finding the orbits of double stars but has not got a copy of the work. What French mathematician first demonstrated that 6 angles and 6 distances will determine all the elements. Has by accident fallen in with a curious optical phenomenon.

Durham - Thanks WW for a copy of his Of a Liberal Education [1845]. Many of WW's points have gained prominent notice at Durham University and 'many of your suggestions have been already brought into practice for some years'. The viva voce in classical examinations for honours has worked very well and TC thinks it should be adopted in Cambridge. Some branches of scholarship can not be tested any other way. Viva voce has also worked well in mathematics especially when it relates to natural philosophy. Needs 'an observer to conduct our observatory work'. This will be under TC's superintendence. If he likes, he can instruct engineer students in surveying. His salary will be £80 per year and he will be provided with a 'small bachelors house, coals, and a servants wages paid'. He will also get £50 a year for teaching the engineers. Does WW know of someone suitable.

Durham - Thanks WW for his letter 'relating to the some-time Etymological Society at Cambridge'. It brings back good memories. Quotes a passage in Greek which 'gives an account of Pythagoras's notion of extension'. Does not know where to find the original work in which the quote was taken.

Durham - It would have given TC much pleasure to have met WW in Durham - hopefully next time. Thanks WW for his 'addition to your celebrated book' [Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay, 3rd ed., 1854?]. Not aware when it first came out who it was by. 'Your book will set more people thinking than any which has lately appeared'.

Durham - The comet lately discovered by D'Arrest seems likely to prove a periodical comet. Mr Marth of the Durham observatory has made some computations. It would be worth examining 'the data in which Halley's orbit of the comet of 1672 is founded'.

[Esh] near Durham - Thanks WW for the 'Supplementary volume to your History of the Inductive Sciences'. During the Glasgow BAAS meeting Sir H Rawlinson 'stated that among the Assyrian Inscriptions there were several which appeared to be Records of Astronomical Observations'. TC has not seen them and fears that nothing will be done; 'but, if they exist, it is a pity that they should not be made use of'. WW could use his influence to obtain them.

Durham - Does not think he will make the BAAS meeting at Liverpool. Thanks WW for his his book, On the Principles of English University Education [1830]. He had, however, already procured a copy which he had read with 'great interest and pleasure'. He has also 'bought your glorious work on the History of the Inductive Sciences' (1837): 'I have been delighted with the high tone of philosophical impartiality with which you have discussed many difficult questions'.