We have got a most excellent president for the Royal Society in the Marquis of Northampton. He presided at the anniversary dinner on the 30th, and did the honours with great credit.
A Copley Medal was awarded to Gauss for his researches, theoretical and practical, on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.
MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL
Hanover, Dec. 17, 1838.
My dear Nephew, —
First and foremost let me dispatch what may he called business. In the first place, I thank you for your kind letter and communication of having so great an honour conferred on me as to be admitted an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy. I cannot help crying out aloud to myself, every now and then, What is that for? Next I must beg you to return my thanks in what words you think proper I should express them, and if you will only send me a copy of the diploma, and keep the original along with my other trophies, allowing them perhaps a corner in some such box as that your dear mother had for suchlike things, for I have no other desire but to be remembered by you and Lady H., and your children, for yet awhile. …
… It is a long while since you asked me if I wanted any of my Indexes to Flamsteed's Catalogue of omitted stars. If there should yet be any left, I could wish to have one or two; for you hinted to me I might leave Baily's work to the "Archives" here, which I intend to do, and then I should like to give an Index along with it. *****
