Letter from J [John] Herschel, Hastings, to 'Dear Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] He has replied to the enclosed [not present] that he is willing to undertake observations [of the solar eclipse] if he can get sufficient guidance to instruct an assistant. He does not know the nature of the observations proposed by [Henry Enfield] Roscoe, whose paper has not yet come. John has also written to B [Balfour] Stewart who has replied unsatisfactorily, but who has sent sunspot papers. Dr. Deakin has given a favourable opinion of Mary's ailment [Mary Cornwallis Herschel]. He sends thanks to Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] for the spectroscope. 16 October 1867