Item 113 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

7 pp

Edinburgh - JDF has now finished his 'Dissertation' on the history of science to the present day ['A Review of the Progress of Mathematical and Physical Science in more Recent Times and Particularly Between the Years 1775 and 1850', Encyclopedia Britannica, 1853 and separately 1858]: 'A vast number of persons whose names are entitled to appear in a history of science are wholly omitted. My selection will be criticised as a matter of course'. He has often looked at WW's 'History' and 'Philosophy': 'but you well know that if one really tries to make a subject their own, one must not depend upon such helps however valuable'. JDF is sorry that George Airy has got such a high value for the Earth's density and thus throw doubt on the previous determinations: 'I am in hopes that an examination of the strata may yet diminish it'.