Item 91 - Letter from Richard Sheepshanks

RS sends WW two pieces of his work: 'The longitude of Brussels contains a better account of personal equation than I think you will find elsewhere'. He is disappointed with his article on the Transit: 'Still I believe it contains more on the subject of an elementary and practical nature than can be found elsewhere'. RS's 'old antagonist Sir James [James South] has issued a placard and an advertisement in the Times of Monday last, which I suppose he intends for a severe blow to the Astronomer Royal and to me'. RS believes this was induced by John W. Lubbock's 'folly in giving him a hearing by the Council of the Royal on the subject of their copies of their Transactions. This kind of notice, was pretty certain to revive his spirits and as no notice will be taken of his placard, I dare say he will feel encouraged to make another attack. It is hard that Lubbock's want of ordinary tact and sense should bring wrong on other people, for if in consequence of this, South should again assail the Society I feel certain that Sir John [John Herschel] will give small aid in quieting Sir James however easily he may be gulled by him'.