Item 49 - Letter from John Herschel

JH reporting on the progress of reductions in Meteorological calculations by Mr. Birt [William R. Birt?] under his superintendence. Only about a fourth of the money grant allocated for this purpose has been expended: 'Mr. B. is much more than a mere computist he goes to work well and philosophically and his labour is a much higher order than mere arithmetic and curve-projecting'. JH thinks he can be safely entrusted with more extensive reductions or with 'the conduct of a system of simultaneous observations for tracing the progress of a whole wave across a part of country'. However JH wants nothing else to do with meteorological committees after his superintending duties are complete. Nor does he want - as Edward Sabine desires - to be part of the proposed elite corresponding council of 24, set up to be consulted on 'special matters'. JH would prefer a less formal body limited 'strictly to scientific points (i.e. Excluding all matters of management)' with absolutely no obligation to participate in the subjects under scrutiny. One question which could be submitted to such a body annually could be: ''On what objects beneficial to science can money be extended so as to produce its equivalent in knowledge?'' [a question it would seem asked by WW in his last letter]. JH gives some suggestions.