| RefNo | HSF/1/1/1 |
| Previous numbers | 600/31/34 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from W [William] Whewell, Trinity Lodge, Cambridge, to [Sir John Frederick William] Herschel |
| Creator | Whewell; William (1794-1866); British mathematician |
| Date | 7 December 1861 |
| Description | Whewell notes that he has signed the Royal Society certificate of candidature for Dr [Walter Farquar] Hook and has sent it to the President [Edward Sabine], very deservedly crowned with that title after a long career of scientific labours and valuable results. He would be glad to hear any tidings of Herschel and he would rejoice if he could see more of Herschel and his family. He clings to memories and has had the value of intercourse with their friend [Richard] Jones brought to his mind lately. Whewell has lectured on political economy to the Prince of Wales at the request of the Prince Consort. His knowing anything about the subject 'depended on my having Jones at my elbow in former times...'. He became interested in the subject but could find no solutions to numerical problems, finding that Jones had solved them completely. Whewell laments that Jones did not stick to speculative politics instead of turning to tithes. If he had lived longer, and worked out his ideas, he would have had a large political philosophy. He may send Herschel his lectures to the Prince of Wales, who is about to travel to Egypt and Syria. Whewell is glad that Herschel is translating Homer and if he does it as well as 'The Walk', he will beat his competitors. He asks if Herschel has seen the Dean of Canterbury's work and comments on the utility of hexameters. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6578 | Whewell; William (1794 - 1866); college head and writer on the history and philosophy of science | 1794 - 1866 |