Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Herbert Spencer, dated at Collingwood Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks Herbert Spencer for sending [see Herbert Spencer's 1859-1-10] Herbert Spencer's Essays and his 'Recent Astronomy and the Nebular Hypothesis.' Regarding the latter, points out a geometrical error, expresses reservations about Herbert Spencer's and Auguste Comte's views of the nebular hypothesis, and argues against Herbert Spencer's theory of sunspot structure. Agrees with Herbert Spencer's idea that some nebulae may be nearer than commonly thought. 16 January 1859