vi.] PROFESSORIAL LIFE. 139 



the union of several individuals may accomplish AY hat 

 one might want zeal or leisure to perform. For example, 

 Sir John Herschel has desired the co-operation of 

 observers to note the barometer, thermometer, &c., for 

 thirty-six successive hours occasionally. My own occu- 

 pations prevent me from undertaking this labour, and I 

 believe that it is not done in any part of Scotland, 

 when I was your age, or younger, I used frequently to 

 make hourly observations for twenty-four successive 

 hours without assistance. but I would willingly furnish 

 nmiittee of such a society with the necessary instru- 

 ments, and assist in the use of them. . . . 



* As the suggestion was your own, so I wish the execu- 

 tion to be ; but you may make me of use in any sub- 

 ay manner that you please, and in conversation or 

 by writing I will endeavour to further your objects/ 



To J. T. HARRISON, ESQ. 



'EDINBURGH, September llth, 1838. 



' . . . There has been a considerable break-up, of 

 course, amongst your associates in the Nat. Phil. Class. 

 Still, however, I have kept my eye pretty well upon 

 ith whom yen were more particularly associated, 

 and the Physico-Mathematical Society prospered last 

 winter remarkably well. I -kitten is now at home in 

 Somersetshire, but comes to London in winter to study 

 . having entered at the .Middle Temple. I hear from 

 ntly, and I hope that, if you ever ivsi<le in 

 London now, you will find him out. Cleghorn and 

 lerson are both occupied, one with law, the other 

 with medicine ; they have, however, by no means for- 

 gotten their physieul . and the hourly juei. 

 logical obs. go on chiefly under their auspices. Gtea 

 ng has readied the dignity of an advocate's <mwn. 

 lohn Rankine i li.u.s than ever, and ha- com- 

 pleted an admiral. lc set of ancinomet. -\- ,,1..-, rvat inns. 

 lot! i- now Studying at Fivibcrg, in Saxony: I 

 heard from him not long ago. 



*I shall be glad r, though I scarcely expect it. 



