Pièce 90 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

8 pp

Edinburgh - Their duty regarding the BAAS is much simpler than WW supposes. There is a thick pamphlet which was circulated at the meeting in Birmingham containing all the recommendations the BAAS have made since the first ever meeting at York, of which, they have to revise all those made concerning the Mathematics and Physics section. 'The Royal Society of Edinburgh has had an official communication from Dr Robinson desiring them to write with other bodies in applying to government (1) to send a Reflector on Irish principles, and an observer (Irish no doubt) to the Cape:-and (2) to publish the British one of the meridian. The first, as was sufficiently plain from Robinson's whole tone at Birmingham, was to put an extinguisher on Herschel's labours at the Cape. I thought it right to consult Sir John - and found him, as I expected, averse to it, and he refused to act in the matter on a committee to apply to govt. So I am glad to say that we have kept clear of this business'. JDF wants to know what 'people say in the South, of Prince Albert's exhibition? I cannot but fancy that Scot Russell has more to do with it than his Royal highness'.