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'.
Add. MS a/211/128
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[14 May 1818]
Part of Additional Manuscripts a