Copy of draft letter, from Sir John Herschel to James South Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responding to James South's letter of 1823-12-19, advises caution in countervening John Pond's preferences in the appointment of Royal Observatory assistants. Were the post of Astronomer Royal to become vacant, John Frederick William Herschel would be 'anything but disinclined to offer myself for it,' but will not make a 'premature declaration' of his willingness to accept it. 21 December 1823