Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Sir Oliver Lodge
Heat
Physics
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 25 May 1893. Lodge discusses how a body can cool and heat up again. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ A body can cool by leaking its heat away, or by converting it into another form of energy. In heat energies it is the working substance that is cooled not the source. It is cooled by converting its heat into work. It is easy to let it cool too much, but in [?] can heat with flow in as soon as connection with old body is established. The only effective cooling is from O to O'. is. the same as it can [a?] do if left to leakage. Doesn't this come in all right? Λ"
Lodge, Oliver, Sir, 1851-1940
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
1893
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondent
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Text
Kelvin, William Thomson, 1824-1907.
Rayleigh, John William Strutt, 1842-1919.
Physical Society (Great Britain)
Ether (Matter)
Science
Largely illegible handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 14 January 1993. Lodge discusses scientific topics such as ether and atmospheres. He explores the ideas of William Thomson Kelvin and John William Strutt Raleigh. 3pp.
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901, Correspondent
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 8 January 1993. Lodge discusses scientific ideas regarding gravitation and friction. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Of course I'm coming on the 21st since you have laid commands upon me. Very enterprising of you. How's Pioneer getting on? Haven't seen a review of it yet. Hope it will sell. You have read page 208. Better than publishing your letter [o?] for other folk to benefit and would be for you to work these thing out and publish most elaborately. No I don't think that gravitation is known by [u?] nearer the u2/V2 and in a resisting medium deviation and friction would [n?] one another to a very high order (as far as direction was concerned) and as regards speed, deviational force would defend a 1n power of velocity; and by Ohm's Law etherised friction is probably also 1n power of velocity (distance matters nothing in either case). Very likely also friction would depend on moving mass [?]; and if its compensation ever for any one body means compensation always for all, expect for the expected thing, you mention, about target and radius vector not being perpendicular to each other. I [r?] however your ingenious Doppler mode of [c?] counteracting even this. Λ"
RDS Library & Archives
British Association for the Advancement of Science.
Refraction.
Comets.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 1892. Lodge discusses scientific ideas regarding light, dust particles, reflexion and absorption. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ Thanks for papers. They are cut off. I interfolded a paper on Light repulsion at Cardiff giving [?] a bright dust particle [?] for which suns light repulsion would overbalance its gravitation attraction. Reflexion is better than absorption. I did not know you had done it all in 1882. But the dust particle is much bigger than a molecule. I forgot the result, but the pressure is about 100 microdynes per square centimetre at Earth's distance. (on Langhry's estimate of nodiation rec). Many thanks for papers. I wish you had sent me them all long ago. Have you no more now? Λ"
1892
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Sir Oliver Lodge],
Perry, John, 1850-1920.
Hydrostatics.
Bryn Afon
1885
Pendred, V.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 21 Waverley Road, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 21 October 1889. Lodge discusses the ideas of Vaughan Pendred and the topic of ether, and he disagrees with Fitzgerald's criticisms of Lodge's models. 2pp. Transcription: "My dear Fitzgerald, I forget I told you that the BA knocked me up and I am only getting right again now. You [m?] about Browns 10- it was included in the 5.16- you sent me and in the ofc receipted sent in. The paper was sent as a voucher. Everything is square to date. I wish indeed you had been at N'carth to lighten us up and to give us more about [c?] ether or to draw more from W.T. on the subject. Fancy you wasting 25 good sheets on Pendred! He is hopeless but his nonsense unfortunately does no discredit to a large number of British [E?]. There are heaps who think similarly and the great [h?] of them are ignorant which may pride themselves upon the fact. Hence I think Pendred is doing service by his outspoken representation of the book which is current; and if corrected the correction should be public. Your [?] ether is very nice. I am sorry you disliked my models so much but I am not altogether surprised. I don't greatly harken after them myself except as a step and better than nothing and I feel the force of most of your remarks. I don't understand why you say I mix up mechanical and elastic force though. None of my models show mechanical force that I remember. Is Liverpool never on your way from Dublin to London? We would amply like to put you up. Yours muchly, OJL"
1889
Armatures.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 21 Waverley Road, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 1 January 1892. Lodge discusses an experiment involving rotating disks using an armature and wires. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Delighted to hear about your 106 per sec idea. Don't fully understand it. Don't want to. Don't tell folk but [p?] it at one. I run my disks now at 3000 revs a minute, the armature is specially wound with that wire live to brace up its wires, and I should have no compunction in running it at 6000. It has run at 4 or 5 [?] I had it. It is a gramme ([?], Malter and Platt). Its diameter is I suppose 8" or 2 feet round, hence it has a peripheral velocity of 100 feet a second when running at 3000 so I feel sure that your 100 meters per sec is within reach. (The run of steel disks goes at 500 feet a second- but that's different.) Your high speed armature ought to be globular not cylindrical. T=PV2 give the maximum velocity for a hoop (about ⊥ axis) of any substance whose tensity is T and density P. I don't know about Fison and music. Must find out. What was the 2 [g?] for? I went up to the B. Sc. I forget what happened but is no matter. I can be up from evening 21st to 23rd and go to Rayleigh on 22 (RI). Hooray for old Thomson. Λ"
Schuster, Arthur, 1851-1934.
Education.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 19 March 1894. Lodge discusses his student and Victoria University exam questions. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Schuster says he is going to see you soon about Hons Physics question. I send him a no. of suggested questions for you to modify. He will bring them you (ID sheets). Also I send a brief summary of what my candidate is able to do. He is very anxious to get a first class. He has some chance I think. If he doesn't break down with over work and write books. He won't take exercise and lately has written some books. Some months back he was very hopeful. Enclosed from my brother of [a?] to saying that he was talking pedagogy and you were thinking of real scientific work. Tear it up. Please see that you have my questions before you when setting- as well as those of other colleges so can there be any sort of uniformity or fairness of standard. Λ"
1894
Milman, Arthur.
Energy.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 17 May 1893. Lodge discusses a letter he wrote to Arthur Milman, and scientific ideas regarding heat, potential energy and force. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ I have written to Milman to fix a line for show paper. They will probably want to [f?] - for the calendar. I think your No 4, too hard, I mean, but the first three will do excellently. He might be asked in addition what precaution he took about the escape of heat from the ends of his cooling bar and whether he was troubled with waves of heat therein as Forls was. If you like me to write out your question I will do so gladly. I return them first for final comments or attention. Many thanks for remarks on my Phys Soc Paper, which are excellent ones. See Nature this week if you have time. Slipping is [p?], but the tangential component is ineffective if smooth and if rough the force tilts to match. I admit that a point can't have potential energy and that any theorem involving potential energy cannot be an [a?] one. There is something blindfold about it and I have come round to see that both energies may be transferred in a lot of cases. A body may lose both as you say. But I will consider your instances and the whole matter further. Λ"
Hertz, Heinrich, 1857-1894.
University of Manchester.
Nasal polyps.
Ozone.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 9 October 1893. Lodge encourages Fitzgerald to be an external examiner at the Victoria University of Manchester, and he notes that he has some nasal polyps. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Will you please indicate you're willingness to the Victoria University to be External Examiner in Physics provided an [adequate?] arrangement be made about travel expenses. I'm anxious to get you, and they do allow [?] for travelling and money for distant ones. I see no reason why they shouldn't pay you the whole if you can. They have plenty of cash. Write then at once. The [r?] vector is manifesting. Λ Oddly enough I have been having small nasal polyps removed, same as Hertz. Word is it's ozone. Modestly painful [b?] but not incapacitating. Lecture last week and another today. Not enough to need ether. Λ"
Heaviside, Oliver, 1850-1925.
Rayleigh, John William Strutt,1842-1919.1842-1919.
Magnetism.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 19 December 1893. Lodge thanks Fitzgerald for his reply regarding Oliver Heaviside and states that he will send it to John Perry. Lodge discusses a theory about flow along magnetic lines. 2pp. Transcription: "Λ Thanks for reply re. O.H. am sending it on to Perry. Have been much excited about Larmor's paper though I have only seen the abstract. Rayleigh offered at Council to refer it to me, but I said you lest I didn't understand it at all. It is not interesting. I had an hour talk with him about it. I can't find any flow along magnetic lines in air though. If any it must be very slow. About a yard an hour per CGS unit λ field. I should have seen what you think of this failure. It means [d?] if theory is correct. But perhaps your [formula] explains it. Does it? The [l?] he has put into McCullagh is very interesting. Shall hope to hear more of your sunspot period someday. What are you doing with the English language? Don't understand the reference. Wife desires her best wishes and remembrances. Λ"
Larmor, Joseph, b. 1857.
Bentley, Alfred T.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 15 October 1893. Lodge discusses a letter sent by Alfred T. Bentley and apologises for telling Fitzgerald some information prematurely. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ Bentley's is a stupid letter. I am sorry I told you prematurely. I didn't know it was premature. I was talking it over with Schuster and thought that now was the time to drop a hint, Glad to hear of Larmor's good work. He seems to be on the right track. Has he been to Dublin? Or how do you know about it? Λ"
Maxwell, James Clerk,1831-1879.1831-1879.
Heat.
Entropy.
Diffusion.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 7 April 1894. Lodge writes from a golfing trip at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, Birkenhead. He discusses scientific ideas regarding heat, diffusion and entropy. The letter includes several equations. Lodge concludes the letter by congratulating Fitzgerald on the birth of his fifth daughter. 7pp.
Experiments
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 2 November 1890. Lodge apologises for not returning Fitzgerald's list of experiments with comments and makes plans for a meeting. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ I am very much ashamed of myself to find that I had not returned your list of exps with comments. I was sure I had. But I have found it now here. I write [p?] to Dickens and expect to hear from him again as to details. I arranged another two candidates. 1/2 are to come in morning and 1/2 in afternoon and all are to be down on the one day. You will travel up on Wednesday might I suppose. I return your duplicate list. Λ"
1890
Dust
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 12 December 1894. Lodge invites Fitzgerald to stay at his home and asks about an experiment with a glass tube and dust. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ You will please come to us 2 Grove Park on Saturday if you can. We are looking forward to your visit. We shall be perfectly ready and can easily put you up. On Thursday we are having a house warming so to speak, but it will be all set straight. When you stroke a glass tube to get dust figures, the dust inside the tube gives quite a different pattern to dust in another tube end on. [Diagram] Nodes much further apart, Why is this? Yours etc, Λ"
Electricity.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, University College, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 26 April 1895. Lodge discusses the questions he is writing for students at Victoria University. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ Such a job I have had to make questions after the holidays. I always feel perfectly ignored after holidays. I hope a [s?] no of them will do. I think among them there are enough for paper V, especially if you add one or 2. I enclose another of Howard's (I enclosed 3 of his last time). The questions are not in order of difficulty, I must leave that to you. But the M.Sc. men will need a fair supply of easy ones for the 1st 3 papers. I fancy my Electricity ones are rather hard. Perhaps Schuster's are better for this part. Yours, Λ"
1895
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901
Examinations
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 12 June 1894. Lodge discusses the schedule and questions for exams for students of Victoria University. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ Pract exam Honours Monday and Tuesday and Pass on Friday next week that is so I think. I send our work for pass and hons will you tick off what we shall offer them. I suppose they will have some choice? Tell me when you are coming. I don't know your arrangements. We shall be glad to see you of course. Λ"
Electromagnetism.
Magnets.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 28 April 1895. Lodge discusses an experiment involving a magnetic circuit, iron and copper. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Thanks for letter. I agree with all you say, and I had used many of the arguments myself, but I had not realised that no [cloud?] circuit experience could be crucial. At the same time some of them are surprising (see over). The motion of this one was that or the orthodox rotary field view when the magnet had no keeper the extend line would cut the [?] wires; whereas when the magnetic circuit is complete, they won't (I know it's lost as an argument but it's plausible) (the fact is that the keeper slightly increases the current, as you suppose). As to the keeper rotating between the poles of a magnet, the current is 40 or 50 times stronger with iron than with copper. which I don't think would have been primarily expected, although is recommended. But now here is a curious experiment. A is a rotating iron drum, B is a cylindrical keeper forming an electromagnet with air gap annular between A and B. Wire, [r?] with A, passes through hole in it and cuts lines of force in ring (once apparent). Will there be a current topped off? (Could you not return with me on 4th and stay Sunday. We have a debating soc [?] to diverge on 4th on differences in Social Corporation.) Answer, no, because the wire in hole in iron is not really screened but feels the lines flashy across hole as the iron turns and cuts just as many as the other 1/2 of the loop does. Or if that's not right, what is? Lines never more at all? Preliminary mechanics question will reach you with this. Honours Physics in 2 batches have already been sent. (Very sorry you are not coming here on 4th. Give us some time if it's possible. Yours OJL)"
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 6 January 1895. Lodge discusses a hypothesis that both Fitzgerald and F.W.H. Myers came up with. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ It is very interesting that you [?] have hit upon the same hypothesis that Myers has been working out for some time now. The sorting demons can do nearly all the observed trials, and that is what has seemed to us the most likely direction for [g?] after a theory. I shall send your letter on to Myers and perhaps he may send you his own crude attempts in that direction. He will be much pleased that the idea has struck a [p?] after even so small acquaintance with the phenomena. Λ"
Argon.
Platinum.
Iridium.
Osmium.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 16 February 1895. Lodge discusses an abstract from the Royal Society and describes a theory about elements. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ Thanks for interesting abstract from the R.S. The suggestion is a woeful one and they are quite right to make them things into short papers. My remark about "Creeds being cheap today" was only a sarcasm against myself because in this card I had said several times that "I believed" this or that. As to the Argon I did not speak of a position in the ordering VIII front group, but of another place altogether, not supposed to be a gap with the atomic weights 38 82 and 130. (If it is to fill the Pt trial vacancy it ought to be 20 or 21 surely). About 2 percent of the heavy stuff would do, and the heavy stuff might be a gas, having no virial. Yours Λ"
Crookes, William, 1832-1919.
Magnetics.
Hybrid systems.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 25 February 1895. Lodge includes equations and notes regarding a scientific hypothesis. 2pp.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, without a date. Lodge writes from his bed as he is unwell. He discusses elements. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ I am lying in bed with a mild dose of influenza and enjoying your kind letter on Argon. I did not realise you meant to separate PtOsIr from the other two groups, PdRuRh and FcCoNi but otherwise your proposal is the same as mine only I called it making another VIII row and you called it doubling the VIII row into 2 sets. There is an orthodox gap between the Pd and the Pt group but I don't see that it works well to consider them as belonging to different series. I am surprised at all the faith you have in the A. Progression relations but the idea is interesting. I am reading [O?] book at last. It's nice and easy. I was rather bad yesterday and have had nothing to eat since Saturday midday till this evening. Shall be about again soon. Λ"
Mercury.
Interference (Light).
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 24 March 1895. Lodge discusses an experiment involving a thread of mercury in a V groove joining two pools. The letter includes diagrams and letters. 2pp.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 25 April 1895. Lodge discusses an experiment involving magnets and notes that he sends exam questions for students at Victoria University. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Do you prefer to say that a magnet's lines [n?] with it, or not, when a law magnet is oxidly spun. Spin above magnet and tap off curved from centre to ends. First with stand wood, next with stand iron, so as to close the magnetic circuit. Which will give most current in your opinion? The experiment (or some like it) have just been made here. I am sending you a batch of suggested questions for Honours. I cannot well sort them out to the different days, because I don't know what Schuster's are like. He and I have both an MSc man (for 1st 3 days) but I have a real Honours man too. I hope you will be able to sort out and concoct suitable papers from the material (over). I shall also send a summary of the work which my honour man Thornton wishes to hand in. Perhaps indeed I shall enclose it herewith. Another exp is [diagram] which gives most current to tapping circuit. Or does either give any? Λ"
University College,
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 8 June 1890. Lodge discusses the Royal Society members. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ By all means nominate [F?]. He is a good man to have. We had better try and get Waghan as our extra when we want an extra (which will be often). I hope we can get rid of Blakesley soon. I think your idea of sending round to the [?] centres/or suggest exps is very good. That list I sent you was mere scratch lot of what we commonly do in our laboratory. Did you send Dickens my first long ABC communications? I meant it to help his arguments after you had amended and criticised it, I shall be in town for Roy Soc [s?] and a few days longer 18-21 June. So if I can do anything then to help I will. Λ"
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 4 September 1896. The letter is largely illegible. He mentions a letter Fitzgerald wrote in Nature and arranges to meet Fitzgerald next Tuesday. 1p.
1896
Thomson, J. J. 1856-1940.
Cathode rays.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, without a date. Lodge discusses an experiment by J.J. Thomson. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ J.J.T. has got results all right; and has he now tells me put the [s?] plate in a box inside the vacuum i.e. in the cathode rays and got nothing. He says both a cathode and phosphorous are necessary. I tried to find attempts to make Hertz waves to pump light waves through the box on to the plate, but that failed. I thought it was superimposed Λ and λ. I don't know what it is now. All the better! Yours, OJL I do hope that the lung trouble with your children is nothing serious. It's always alarming. At one time we had a lot of trouble of that sort."
Röntgen, Wilhelm Conrad, 1845-1923.
X-rays.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 20 January 1896. Lodge discusses an experiment involving cathode rays and various materials. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ I shall hope to send you some prints of the results we get tomorrow. Also perhaps one or two of Rontgen's results just [l?] me and Schuster, whose assistant came over today to see our arrangements, as he had not managed it yet. I think I must abandon the cathode rays idea because photographing a magnet on wire gauze the lines come out straight instead of [diagram]. The rays were going ⊥ to paper and if cathode rays they would be deflected between the poles. If it is anything etherised it's tremendously important and will probably tell us μ and κ. The bones are not quite opaque, nor are metals, but they are more opaque than liquids and flesh. Aluminium is very transparent. Steel is very opaque. Other metals between. Quartz more transparent than [?]. Just the minute Rontgen has sent me his paper (I asked him to). I see he is strong on the differences between his radiation "X radiation" and cathode rays. It seems to start from the green phosphorescence on [?] when bombarded by cathode rays,"
Lodge, Oliver, 1851-1940
Electrometer.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 21 January 1896. Lodge writes about prints he made of different experiments involving magnets. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ I send a few hasty prints but the day has been foggy and they are not good. One is a magnet close to a sensitive plate. Another is a magnet on wire gauze with the plate on the other side the magnet and other are pieces of wire gauze with an aluminium electrometer needle lying in the middle [?]. Another is some coins [1st success]. All are taken through 1/4 inch of wood [?] the floor of a box in which the things were placed. The source of radiation was outside the box. I also send, but only for a short time, 2 copies of Rontgens originals which Schuster had. Please return these 2 at once. I have to show them here. One is a compass box with its lid on. The other is a hand with a ring on the third finger. Λ"
Schuster, Arthur,1851-1934.1851-1934.
Electrons.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 25 January 1896. The letter is composed of equations and discussion about sound waves, light waves and polarisation. 5pp.
Atoms.
Particles.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 3 February 1896. Lodge discusses J.J. Thompson's theory about longitudinal waves. 1p. Transcription: "M d Φ J.J.'s longitudinal waves don't go independently of matter. They have to utilise the + and - charge on atoms and in free space they would - what I don't know. [?] transverse perhaps. A stream of unelectrified particles is the simplest thing. I shouldn't wonder if it turns out only that. I don't think that J.J. would admit that the velocity is the same in all matter, but he would dodge the refraction by reason of the = and - distances being equal to A ∴ [a?] by opposite displacements on the average [doubt reversed of sign and no rotation] Λ"
Marconi, Guglielmo, 1874-1937.
Preece, W. H.
Letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 16 June 1899. Lodge discusses consulting a patent lawyer. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ My letter was not explanatory but only a preliminary enquiry. I am glad to find that you would be disposed to contemplate giving an opinion. There ought to be no difficulty about the renumeration; it is work that should be extremely well paid. I think your idea of consulting and of utilising the advice of some independent patent lawyer is a very good one. It will be difficult for the Marconi people to suggest a lawyer other that those who have been already engaged in drawing up or in advising on their patents, and who are therefore not disinterested. The same with me. The things that you will be asked to advise will be the value of our own improvements and the anti-value of our opposition. What I believe they want to do is to buy up the whole thing and get me as a consultant. My position is that though I am willing to sell them the improvements and refrain from opposition and indeed help in scientific matters. I am indisposed to have my name on a prospectus as consultant when they issue their shares to a company. It is a delicate matter and my statement is not evidence; but I find that in the city of London they are regarded as rather a stock-jobbing gang who wish to sell their shares to the public at a high figure. This may or may not be the case, but anyway I should have no control over their financial operations, and that being so I should not wish to have my name on their prospectus so not appear to assume any responsibility for acts which I could not control. So far as their actual work has been concerned it seems to have been very good, but I mistrust the financial part, partly no doubt through ignorance. Their nominal capital is enormous 3/4 million now, and they are very sensitive to any breath of opposition. Muirhead is anxious to proceed with his large-scale experiments, and to make a syndicate among his cable-telegraph friends who indeed are anxious to come in. Also he regards the field as open for him to manufacture and supply apparatus unimpeded by their imaginary first patent claims. With regard to Muirhead he is a most honest and liberal man, (I was introduced to him long ago by Carey Foster) one of the best fellows in himself, but of course accustomed to look at matters a good deal from a business point of view. At the same time he is very careful about any reputation that I may have and is anxious to do the best possible for me. I have considerable confidence in his judgement and absolute confidence in his honour, but his deafness is a great drawback and makes interviews with him very difficult especially for strangers. We all agree I think that if we were to amalgamate, the company would be considerably strengthened, and their foreign patents, especially their American patents, would sell far better. We are opposing them actively in America and have opposed them once in England with success. These oppositions are a nuisance and I should be glad to come to terms. They approached some time ago and wanted to know terms. Muirhead said £30,000. They asked for a denomination: but he didn't have one as Muirhead rather preferred independence. Now they suggest an expert to give an opinion I have mentioned you. If in the course of this matter you have occasion to see Muirhead you may take it that he is a thoroughly good man in every sense, and his wife is a very nice woman whom my wife likes. You would enjoy as stay with them at Shortland's if it happens so, and it is pretty sure to be necessary when you go to see their works as Elmers End in Kent. This is all preliminary, but the whole case will have to be laid before you by both parties; but you probably know more of the Marconi position than ours. I may say that the negotiations are being conducted on a perfectly friendly basis and that all the opposition has been purely legal and formal- never rancorous. I think you will find that the questions ultimately put are such as you can answer in conjunction with a patent lawyer, but all this lies in the future. The only difficulty that I see is in the appraisement of absolute value. The proper appraisement it seems to me is relative value, that is, assuming the value of the position of one side to be so and so, then the position of the other side is so much; or, put otherwise, that the value of the one position is a certain practice of the value of the other. I don't see that I can well sell the so called magnetic system on any time. It is a development and improvement of the part of the plan known as Pruce's and the P.O. are trying it and willing to take it up. Both the P.O. and Lloyd's are anxious to run anything rather that Marconi's, because they fear to land their names and influence to stock jobbing operations. I have this from both the heads of both the P.O. and of Lloyd's. Yours, Λ"
1899
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, Victoria University, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 22 November 1899. Lodge states in his letter that he does not want responsibility for Dr Galt's report. 2pp. Transcription: "My dear Fitzgerald, With regard to that report of Dr Galt in in the British Association volume which is now very shortly going to press. I feel that it ought to have been submitted to the committee before sending in, and I am not inclined to make myself responsible for it. Dr Gladstone is going to add a note to say that he has tested the solutions formed by dissolving (a) the alloy (b) the mixture in nitric acid, and has found the resulting solutions not to be the same. Lord Kelvin replied that nevertheless if these solutions are mixed, no appreciable heat is evolved, and perhaps this is a complete answer, but I do not feel sure, and in any case I do not feel inclined to make myself responsible for Dr Galt's report, though at the same time similar experiments have been made by a Mr Baker of Birmingham with rather similar results; hence I must assume, and I am willing to assume that the experiments were carefully performed. In neither case however I am clear about what happened to the gaseous products. I rather think that Baker allowed them to escape, and what Galt did with them, I do not think he says. I think the best plan is for me to send you a copy of the note proposed to be added by Dr Gladstone and also to send you a note that we might add if we thought fit. No time must be lost, as Griffith is anxious to go to press. Yours OJL"
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 26 September 1896. Lodge suggests writing a Dictionary of Physics to avoid repetition and explain elementary concepts. 2pp. Transcription: "Φ I ventured to open the enclosed from Kelvin thinking it might be interesting, but it isn't. He asks me to send it on. Please let me know your address this week for Victoria papers. Do you think that the time has come for a Dictionary of Physics somewhat analogous to Watt's Dict of Chemistry. It just strikes me that it might save much repetition eg such heads as Elasticity, Pressure, Stress, Leak, and everything might be summed up sufficiently for elementary purposes and whereas these words occurred their heads could be referred to. The present form of text book must either be partial or too bulky. It is the fundamental ideas that need such treatment to avoid repetition in all parts of the subject and to fix things clearly. Would it be too mortally dull I wonder? Λ"
Ayrton, W. E.1847-1908.1847-1908.
Electromagnetic fields.
Two handwritten letters from Sir Oliver Lodge, Trefriw, North Wales, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 9 April 1895. In the first letter, Lodge discusses scientific ideas regarding potential difference, EMF, vacuums and pressure. In the second letter, he talks about Electromagnetic distances and includes diagrams and equations. 5pp.
Bond, Walter. G.
Friction.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge, 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 11 October 1896. Lodge discusses the work of W.H. Preece and the idea of a Dictionary of Physics. 2pp. Transcription: "M d Φ Many thanks for interesting note. I enclose one from Bond to the same effect which may be burnt or returned. He like others did not know of P's ignorance and is surprised. I had been independently writing to him to get you to write an article on the paper of Preece's. But I had not thought of a leader. I think he may [?] feel damned at a leader. But it's a great [?] to suffer that P will show fight if attacked by you. He collapses when pricked and has withdrawn lots of papers by advice. The folly is that he will go on evicting them instead of paying a person with proper brains for the job. I quite acquiesce in you [r?] on the Dictionary. The treatise of the [function?] must be sequential and systematic in a way no Dictionary can be. I had been coming round to the same sort of view myself. Λ"
Engineering.
Handwritten letter from Sir Oliver Lodge. 2 Grove Park, Liverpool, to George F. Fitzgerald. Lodge is coordinating plans with Fitzgerald. Transcription: "M d Φ How absolutely disgusting! Do get dates put back again. I have arranged not to go abroad till the 29th, but I must go then. This house is available for you of course but I want to see you, and I thought we were going to have a good time. Just strike and make a disturbance. You are [?] Ramsey much too long. It isn't fair. Cut it short and come to L'. I can't make up my mind about Toronto. I don't [?] to go at all. They offer £20 or something towards the expenses but that won't cover it or anything like. I suppose I shall wait for something to decide me one way or another. Λ Of course I agree with your nature letter, only I think that the Enquiring teachers are the ones that should try and mend their ways a bit. "
1897
De Trafford, Humphrey F. (Humphrey Francis), Sir, 1862-1929
Dublin Horse Show
Royal Dublin Society
Depicts Sir Humphrey and his trainers in a paddock with ten of his hunters, all prize winners at the Horse Shows of 1902 and 1903. Signed and dated lower right.: H.F. Lucas 1904
Lucas, Henry Frederick Lucas, 1848-1943
1904
RDS_treasures_186_Lucas_de Trafford's horses.jpg
15th century
History
Theology
Humanism
Renaissance
Manuscripts
The RDS digital reproduction of Divinarum institutionum libri septem by L. Caelius Firmianus Lactantius, in a Renaissance manuscript written in Florence, Italy, circa. 1430. The seven books of the Diuinae institutiones, are the most important work by Lactantius, Christian author and advisor to Roman emperor, Constantine the Great. They are an apologetic treatise that includes a defense of Christianity and a criticism of pagan religion, philosophy and morals. In this Renaissance manuscript, each of the seven books has a sectional title in red script followed by an illuminated initial. The seven illuminated initials feature hues of gold, blue, yellow, green and brown, interwoven with illustrations of white vine. The text is in Latin, with some interlinear Greek translation. It is speculated that the book was inscribed by Niccolò Niccoli and another unknown scribe.
Lucius Caelius Firmianus Lactantius
Approx. 1430
Divinarum institutionum libri septem / L. Caelius Firmianus Lactantius.
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from Thomas R. Lyle],
Galvanometer.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated September 13th 1898. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr. Fitzgerald I was very pleased to hear from you that you thought my paper of some use. I sent by a mail or so after the full paper, a few pages additional containing some more examples, one of which I thought well worth adding [?] that on the transformer where hysteresis [?] are all considered. The principle in method in the paper will enable anyone who has grasped it to transform all the quantitative relations relating to measurements and comparisons where a [?] method with a galvanometer is used for steady currents to the corresponding relations for alternating currents, when a telephone would take the place of a galvanometer. [diagram and detailed equations follow] Is it worthwhile writing a paper about these kind of illustrations of the method with experimental details of trials results or is is a mistake to ride the idea to death? Very many thanks for the trouble you have taken about the publishing of the paper. I don't mind where it appears as long as it may be read by those people to whom it may be of use. yours very sincerely, Thomas R. Lyle
Lyle, Thomas R.
1898
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated * February 1899. Lyle discusses his assistant, the application for chair at Sydney, and upcoming travel to America. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr Fitzgerald, I wrote you a fortnight ago on behalf of my assistant Mr Love who is applying for the chair at Sydney. It may happen that he will not be in the running ad that the local Sydney assistant - Mr Pollock will have a good chance of the appointment. His, Mr. Pollock's testimonials are not likely to do him justice but I know him well and can say that no mistake will be made if he gets the appointment. I am starting for America on my way home in a couple of days. Yours [?] sincerely Thomas R. Lyle
Lyle, Thomas R. 1860-1944
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901.
Litigation.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 27 August 1894. The letter details the potential litigation Lyle may undergo as a result of a salary dispute, and details his issues with the council deciding salaries for himself and other professors. 4pp
Electricity
Wheatstone bridge.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 28 November 1898. Lyle discusses a recent paper publication and considers some advice on publications given to him by Fitzgerald. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr. Fitzgerald, I received your kind letter this morning and feel very much indebted to you for the trouble you have taken with my paper. I saw the first number of it in the "Electrician" a fortnight ago and was much pleased with the editorial notice about it. I had scarcely hoped that it was really a new method but it seems likely that I may get the credit for originating it at any rate in its application to the class of questions I treated. I will think about what you say in regard to writing something more mathematical on the same subject but I am at present very busy in my off time (which is very minimal) with a paper on the rotating field motor. I have the work nearly finished but none of the paper written. I can do the thing very simply and neatly and I think you will be pleased with it. Apart from the results I got being likely to be of value to practical electricians the paper will be fairly good from an elementary mathematical point of view. I will impose it on you first when I get it finished but it will be some time yet as I will be very busy with examining and other work right up to Xmas. I have got a years leave and hope to see you all in Dublin about April. They give us a year in every 8 n q here provided we arrange for an [?] substitutes spending at least half our salaries in doing so. In view of my going home I asked the Government for £750 to spend on apparatus while there which they kindly gave me. I think your advice is right that it is not worth while riding an idea to death in papers. Everyone who can appreciate the paper can apply its methods to examples for themselves. I don't know what to say about your suggestion to write a book on alternating currents. I will think over it seriously. I don't mind at all whether it would pay or not if i could put together a respectable thing. It would not be difficult to improve on most of those I have seen and I have already collected or thought of sufficient matter on the subject to make a good sized book. I am very much behind however in the bibliography of the subject. That of course would have to be thoroughly gone into first and it might prove very difficult to get everything out here. What fate befell a short paper I sent you a long time ago on Wheatstone's Bridge. I wish you would if you can prevent its being published anywhere as the same thing is done much better in the last paper and in it (the last) I am not finding fault with another man as I was in the first. Wishing you a merry Xmas Yours very sincerely Thomas R. Lyle
RDS Library & Archive GFF collection of letters
Salaries
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald dated 4th November 1894. Lyle shares details of what appears to be a legal issue he has encountered with 'the Council' regarding a salary dispute. 6pp.
Hysteresis.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated December 13th 1898. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr Fitzgerald I am sending you by this mail a short paper on Hysteresis. Though I have looked at the matter in the way explained in the paper for some time I had in working at a paper I am engaged on to look into the thing more closely and thought it would be worth publishing separately, especially as it bears on my paper already published in the Electrician. I think the method of treatment is new, and if you think so, I will be very much obliged if you send it to some society or send it to the Electrician or any paper you think best to send it to. I hope it is new as I think it neat. Blakesley's method (geom) of heating hysteresis is wrong as it does not give the power absorbed proportional to wbh x volume. I put a remark at the end of this paper (on page 10) about how to get a sine curve of impressed magnetism. If you do not think it important you might kindly draw your pen through it. I forgot in my last letter to you to say that I will settle with you for the 100 copies of my paper from the Electrician when I get home. Yours very sincerely, Thomas R. Lyle
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 15 March 1898. Lyle discusses a paper he wishes to publish correcting an error which he sends enclosed to Fitzgerald, and discusses the death of a Dr. Palmer and his upcoming trip home. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Professor Fitzgerald In a paper in the Phil mag. March 1897 by Dr. Grehore and Squier there are I think serious and fundamental errors. I have written a short paper, which I send you enclosed, correcting these errors and I will feel greatly indebted at you looking through it and if you think it worth publishing in the Phil. Mag. of seeing it through for me. I have made the paper as short as I can only connecting the two main slips they make and not touching on the "variation diagrams" they give. Though these seem to me to be founded on error. I have it in my mind to write a short paper on an allied subject and if when I reduce it [?] paper if it works out neatly enough I will if you don't mind send it to you. I see from time to time that many of the fellows of my time are passing away. I was very sorry indeed to see lately of Dr. Palmer's death. I am looking forward to going home for a holiday next year, and hope to spend some time in Dublin then. Yours very sincerely, Thomas R. Lyle
Electric circuits
A handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated June 27, 1898. The letter discusses the work of Lyle on alternating currents and transformers, and his difficulties keeping up to date with his field from Melbourne. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr Fitzgerald I am sending you a couple additional examples to add to the paper on alternating currents, if you think it is suitable for publication, also a short addition to be made to the example of paper I already sent. The general treatment of the transformer which is enclosed is as far as I know new, but being out of the world practically here I cannot tell with certainty and I won't be much surprised if I hear from you that all the work in the papers I have sent you has been already done by someone else. I feel that I am giving you far too much bother with these things but I don't know anyone else whose advice I could ask. I am so much in your debt already that this won't make a vert large relative increase. Yours very sincerely Thomas R. Lyle
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from Thomas R. Lyle].
Quaternions.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, the University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 13 June with no year listed. Lyle discusses a paper he is sending alongside this letter and some of his other work he has been doing. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr. Fitzgerald I was greatly pleased at getting your letter a fortnight ago. After I had posted that paper to you I often wished I had it back as it seemed a small thing to be finding out other peoples errors. I have never felt any great desire to publish things unless I felt sure they were very good but your letter had some affect as commenced to put together some things I have known for years and in doing so other things came into my mind and a fairly lengthy paper is the result which I forward to you by this mail. The ides in the paper I have had for many years, even before I came out here, but I was not as much interested then in alternating currents as I was in quaternions. It seemed so obvious to one who knew even the merest smattering of quaternions to apply the first principles of them to simplify the manipulation of the diagram used for graphically working out about harmonic currents. That paper I criticised appeared at this time of time of day seemed to me to point to the fact that these things are not as well known as I thought and your letter started me in earnest. Will you look through the paper I send and if you think it good enough get it published if you can, soon in some journal, the Phil mag, in preference or give it to any society. I think it may be useful, even to practical men for the only unusual thing I put forward is the unit vector though I don't call it that. I have tried my best to put it simply. Some of the examples I give are I think new and all are I think solved very much shorted than they could be by any other method. I could have increased the bulk of the paper by some more interesting examples but I think I have given enough to show the convenience and power of the method. I have looked everywhere I can to find whether anyone has ever applied the same method to the alternate current diagram but could not find that anyone had done so. Oliver Heaviside has a paper on Resistance and Conductance operation in the Phil mag. Dec 1887, but his operations are differential and he defines them as such. Of course his R+L(d/dt) is practically the same as part of what I use (he requires two), but I think there is a great advantage in being able to realise my operation as a motion in space of something instead of working with a mere abstraction that is known to conform to certain laws. I made no reference to this paper (it deals of very different things to mine) though I felt I ought to but did not know what to say. If you think the paper goof enough to publish and you think some reference should be made to Oliver Heaviside I will be very grateful if you put in a suitable foot note. Sometime ago I was looking into the theory of rotating field motors. I think I can put it neatly and I may make a short paper of what I have already done. You must not think I am idle out here because I have not published anything. My duties take up nearly all my time and I have always felt that I ought to do my best for the students and the place. One can get no assistance here. Very rarely will a student work in the laboratory after his degree. Everyone wants to be off making money. I hope you do not think me too great a bother sending this paper to you Yours very sincerely, Thomas R. Lyle
Handwritten Letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 24th March, Year Unknown. Lyle makes a recommendation for the publication of a former student's work. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr. Fitzgerald, One of my students who got his degree 3 years ago is sending on my recommendation to you by this mail a paper of his giving an account of some of work on the Thermo electric diagram. He is a very able fellow and his work is I think very good and I would like to have it publish in some good scientific journal. He got one of the 61 Exhibition scholarships 2 years ago and this is some of the work he did while holding it. He is a very careful and accurate experimenter and the results he has got are very important. We as short fine metals as we could out here and I feel sure that much of these he used were much finer than had been used by Tait in the conclusion of his diagram. The difference between the two are very great. I would like the paper published in some goof journal for two reasons. Steele is a very good fellow and enthusiastic worker, and also it would show the Exhibitions Commission that he has been doing something for his scholarship and so I would perhaps be more likely to get another scholarship soon again. Since I was at home two years ago great changes have occurred out here. Everything that could smash has smashed and the government is retrenching...University yearly grant has been greatly reduced but so far our [?] has not been touched though it may come to that. The lavish expenditure on apparatus of 4 or 5 years ago has been stopped and now we can scarcely get enough to carry on with. I was rather lucky as just before the smash came I got my laboratory practically finished. This was not altogether a blessing however as now with the extra laboratory classes I have very little time I can call my own. Remember me to Mr. Cathcart I believe [?] Ever yours sincerely Thomas R. Lyle
RDS library & Archives GFF collection of letters
Evolution.
Magnetic induction.
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, Christchurch New Zealand, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 24 January 1891. Lyle details of a meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advocacy of Science which he attended and presided over a section of. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Mr. Fitzgerald, I have been over here for the last ten days at the meeting of the Australasian Ass. for the Adv. of Science. We have had considering all the circumstances a most successful meeting. It is very far for the Australian people to come still a good number came over. I was President of Section A and send you a newspaper which contains a rough abstract of my address. I had been vert busy all year and when the holidays came on I got inflammation of the bowels and had a very bad time of it for about a week. So the preparing of my address was put off until the last minute. I first got read a paper on magnetic induction but thinking that too stiff for a popular address I wrote a jumble of facts which as it turned out suited remarkably well. A good audience came to hear it and I am very glad that I changed the subject to something easy. In our section there was not much of importance. Prof. Bragg. of Adelaide sent a paper on the Elastic [?] method of treating Electrostatic theorems. It was a very good one. He starts with Oliver Lodge's conception of the ether and deduces very simply all the electrostatic formulae. Threlfall sent a lot of notes about various things the most interesting being on some experiment about the diffusion of gas & [?] on the 2nd law of thermodynamics. He says that the law will require to be further amended by another saving clause .a. if you have two [?] of O & H say at the same temp. a cylinder with piston, the end of the cylinder being porous and if you move the cylinder from O to H & back again in succession work will be obtained until the two gases become thoroughly mixed, His saving clause is that the substances considered must be both physically and chemically homogenous. We got a great lot of the other matter some of which I had to reject and in consequence I have almost required [?] protection. Old fashioned facts from amateur scientific lunatics. That everything almost in the world, storms, disease, etc, can easily be foretold by observing the spots on the sun. That the law of quantatation is all wrong. A complete and perfect theory of cosmic evolution etc etc. - The other sections were very well attended and everyone seems to be satisfied with the meeting. With kind regards, Yours very sincerely, Thomas R. Lyle
1891
Galvanometer
Handwritten letter from Thomas R. Lyle, The University of Melbourne, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 14 September, with no year listed. 2pp. Transcription: My dear Mr. Fitzgerald, I ought to have written you a time long ago to let you know I have started my new work. I have been very busy these last six weeks and will be so until the end of term 2 weeks hence. This is a very much bigger place than I expected and is likely to grow very fast. My laboratory is not really finished yet indeed only the walls of half of it are up but when it has been completed it will be a very fine place. I think I have... ...rather difficult place to go into when I came out. Everything was in disorder and upside down. My work is going vert smoothly with me now. The students are very attentive and hard working and haven't given me the least trouble. The 1st year class has 135 in it 13 of whom are young ladies. I take the 1st year Ordinary and the 2nd and 3rd year Honour classes and have some very able men in the 3rd year. The appliances for teaching my subject at present are miserable. I have had to exercise my wits very often to get up some model or experiment and have learned a great deal already about how to make... ...I will have a very fine lecture room in the new place and am trying yo have the lecture bench as complete as possible. Everything at had. Gas, oxygen, steam, electricity from storage cells. Two water air pumpers which in a minute give a vacuum of 28 or 29 inches. Sunlight (we nearly always have it here) from the [?] along the table from one end and an electric lamp at the other. Lamp for projection somewhere in front and a solid [?] pedestal near the corner for Galvanometer and a Electrometer. The table itself will be of slate laid on a solid masonry and directly over it at the ceiling I have a beam for suspending things from. I am going to ask for... ...of the Lab now. and have it completed at once. If you have any suggestions I will feel very grateful if you write me. I would like to know where I could find all that has been written about Hertz's work & what you were lecturing on before I left. There is a good library here and they get most of the periodicals. If you would tell my brother Robert or else Russell of any new books that I hought to have I will also feel very much obliged. With kind regards [?] Yours very sincerely Thomas R. Lyle
Sculpture, British--19th century
The subject modelled partially seated, head cast downwards, reading a book.
MacDowell, Patrick, 1799–1870
1840
RDS_treasures_326_MacDowell_Girl reading.jpg
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.R. Maguire
Handwritten letter from W. R. Maguire, Town Hill Lodge, dated 18 August 1891. Maguire discusses a money arrangement concerning a bank and a Committee. 1p. Transcript: "Dear Sir I am very pleased as the results of your work but I think as we have but one account open in Bank it will be best in you to retain the money till the Committee meets and hand it in with any specific conditions attached I am away on holiday In a month at present only home for 2 n 3 days Yours Truly W. R. Maguire"
Maguire, W. R.
Letter to George F. FitzGerald from Kate C. Manders
Manders, Kate C.
Handwritten letter from Kate C. Manders, Windsor Terrace, Malahide, to Sir George F. Fitzgerald, dated 5 May 1899. Manders discusses her house. 3pp. Transcription: " Dear Mr. Fitzgerald I should be so glad if you could have the dado dove for me as you kindly said you would as soon as possible. I have not let my [house?] this year yet if you should hear of anyone wanting a [house?] I should be so grateful if you would remember me Yours Truly Kate C. Manders P. S. I was sorry to hear your children had been ill & hope they are quite well again."
Handwritten letter from Kate C. Manders, Windsor Terrace, Malahide, to George Francis Fitzgerald, dated 11 March 1897. Manders seeks Fitzgerald's opinion in concern to renting her house. 3pp. Transcription: "Dear Mr. Fitzgerald I must apologize for not having replied to your letter [ere?] this. I hope to let my house house this summer, but think it would suit me better this year to let it from the 1st July to the end of October. Would there [abouts?] suit you? Of course it is rather early in the year to make definite arrangements, but I will certainly not let my house without first writing to you - there seems to be a great demand for houses in Malahide this year as I have already received applications. Very Truly Yours Kate C. Manders"
RDS Library and Archives GFF collection of letters
Payment.
Handwritten letter by Kate C. Manders, 46 Waterloo Road, Dublin, to George Francis Fitzgerald, dated 14 October 1897. Manders thanks Fitzgerald for a cheque she received from him. 2pp. Transcription: "Dear Mr. Fitzgerald I received your cheque for £32.10 this morning for which I am much obliged. I don't really know how much [netting?] there was I think the only thing will be for me to have it measured when I return home. Very Truly Yours Kate C. Manders"
RDS Library and Archive GFF collection of letters
Royal Dublin Society. Drawing Schools
A George III carved giltwood armorial armchair, designed by James Mannin and made by Richard Cranfield in 1767, the shaped, rectangular padded back in a moulded frame carved with cornucopia issuing wheatsheaves and fruit and surmounted by the Royal Dublin Society oval medallion incorporating Minerva (the emblem of the Royal Dublin Society since the mid-1740s), the base carved with the motto NOSTRI PLENA LABORIS (Our work bears fruit) and surmounted by ribbon ties and a plaque inscribed CHAIR FOR THE PRESIDING MEMBER AT THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY’S MEETINGS DESIGNED BY JAMES MANNIN MASTER OF THE SCHOOL OF ORNAMENTAL DRAWING AND MADE BY T. [SIC] CRANFIELD. 1767., the serpentine upholstered seat flanked by arms carved as acanthus leaf scrolls, terminating in circular moulded and covered rests, the supports carved as dolphins, the gadrooned chair rail centred by confronting acanthus foliage and on acanthus-carved and moulded cabriole supports and scrolled toes, headed by stylised harebells. James Mannin was Master of the Royal Dublin Society School of Ornamental Drawing.
Mannin, James -1779
1767
Cranfield, Richard, 1731–1809
RDS_treasures_534_Mannin_President's chair.jpg
Leinster House (Dublin, Ireland)
Sketch of the facade of Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin, with a partial view of the rotundas of the National Library and the National Museum. Inscribed verso: Presented to M.E. Dockrell T.D. by his constituency Feb. 1975.
Martin, Liam C., 1934-
1973
RDS_treasures_573_Martin_Leinster House.jpg
McGrath, Raymond, 1903-1977
Leinster House: A House with Three Lives
1941
Gahan, Muriel, 1897-1995
Portrait painting, Irish -- 20th century
Muriel Françoise Gahan, founding member of the Arts Council, renowned for her role in the establishment of The Country Shop, Country Workers Ltd., the Irish Homespun Society and Country Markets Ltd. and for promoting traditional crafts in Ireland. The subject depicted bust length, directed forward, face inclined slightly to the right, wearing a peacock-blue knitted jacket and satin blouse, and a grey neck scarf pinned at the throat with an oval brooch with a white-coloured stone set in gold, against a background of a surrealist-effect blue sky with clouds.
McGuire, Edward, 1932-1986
1978
RDS_treasures_180_McGuire_Muriel Gahan.jpg
Curran, John Philpot, 1750-1817
Portrait sculpture, Irish--19th century
Portrait bust of John Philpot Curran (1750–1817), Irish politician, lawyer and Master of the Rolls for Ireland (1806-14); the subject modelled to proper right, gazing upwards; wearing classical robes; on a white marble socle of circular, waisted form; unsigned.
Moore, Christopher, 1790-1863
1820
Prior, Thomas, 1681-1751
Botany. Ireland. 19th century
National Botanic Gardens (Ireland)
Annual report of the general state of the Royal Dublin Society's Botanic Garden, and collections therein, in November, 1841. Signed D. Moore, curator. Mr Prior's monument in Christ Church, Dublin. Brief report of a professional tour through England, by direction of the Botanical committee, and with permission of the Council, of the Royal Dublin Society. Donation of seeds presented to the Royal Dublin Society's Botanic Garden during the present year, 1842. Letters addressed to The Lord Mayor of Dublin from the Office of the Council of the School of Design, signed J. R. Gardiner. And from The Royal Dublin Society signed by Honorary secretary Isaac Weld in relation to the operation of the Public Schools of Design.
Moore, David, 1807-1879
RDS proceedings, volume 78, from November 4, 1841, to June 30, 1842
Royal Dublin Society, printed by Graisberry and Gill
1842
Letter to George F. FitzGerald from John Noble
Noble, John, 1829-1909
Handwritten letter from John Noble to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 27 January 1898. Noble discusses brushes. 2pp. Transcript: "Dear Sir On the instructions of Messrs. G. L. Hoch of Hohenlimburg Germany I have written Provost Trinity College for amount of [account?] £1=9=6 for dynamic brushes supplied to Trinity College and the Provost or rather his solicitors state that the person giving orders for the articles should be commemorated with [L]. Accordingly I write this letter, as from a post card forwarded by my clients you appear to have given the Order having written Sir Koch stating the class of brushes you required. If you do not wish to retain the articles, I would ask you to be so kind enough to return them to Mr. Koch. Faithfully Yours John Noble"
Noble, John 1829-1909
Handwritten letter from John Noble to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 3 February 1898. Noble replies to Fitzgerald in concern to an order to his client, Mr. Koch. 1p. Transcript: "Dear Sir In reply to yours of 29th alp. I beg to enclose post-card with your signature directed to Mr. Koch If it is not absolutely an order it certainly raises the presumption that such an order was given by you to my client Faithfully Yours John Noble"
Handwritten letter from John Noble to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 14 February 1898. Noble asks Fitzgerald to return brushes to his client, Mr. Koch. Transcript: "Koch v. Trinity College Dear Sir Referring to our former correspondence herein Mr. Koch now asks that you will return the two dynamo brushes in question which I think is a very moderate requisition on his part. These brushes would appear to have been invoiced to the College on 28th Aug. '96 Faithfully Yours John Noble"
The Alpine Traveller, Portrait of Emily St. Clare
Portrait painting, Irish--18th century
Portrait of Emily St. Clare, British stage-actress and long-term paramour of Sir John Fleming Leicester, 1st Baron de Tabley (1762-1827), politician and patron of the arts. The subject depicted full length, side-saddle on a mule, in three-quarter profile, directed right, gazing front; wearing a white, Empire-waist gown with white sash, a green, cropped jacket with three-quarter length sleeve and ermine trim, a red cloak draped back from her shoulders, a brown, fur stole, elbow-length, buff-coloured gloves and a green gypsy-hat with green-ribbon chinstraps; the mule tacked with red bridle with a red pompom fixed to the crownpiece, a pendant-type horse brass and two red tassels hanging from the browband and two red tassels hanging from the nose band, a red, high-cantle saddle and red-fringed breast collar with three brass bells, and four shoes with turned-up toeclips; St. Clare’s right hand clutching her windswept hat onto her head, her left hand gripping the rear cantle of the saddle; to the left, a rearing, white dog with wolf collar; to the right, behind St. Clare, a male mountain guide leading a panniered mule up a steep incline; set in a rocky landscape against a pink-hued, clouded sky; signed Jas. Northcote Picx 1802 on the breast collar the panniered mule.
Northcote, James, 1746-1831
1800
RDS_treasures_26_Northcote_Alpine Traveller.jpeg
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791
Portrait Painting, Irish--20th century
The subject depicted seated at his harpsichord, wearing a red suit, signed and dated l.l. Micheal O Nuallain 99.
Ó Nualláin, Micháel
1999
Sketch showing interior of Senate Chamber, Leinster House
O'Sullivan, Con
1930s
Wylie, William Evelyn, 1881-1964
Group portrait of four members of the RDS Executive Committee, depicted around a table covered with a green baize, in the Board Room of the RDS, Ballsbridge; on the table, an architectural drawing for the enlargement of the Pembroke Hall at the RDS, Ballsbridge, in 1938-9, an oak stationery box (cat. no. RDS.538), seal stamps, papers and other writing accoutrements; in the background, a Victorian breakfront bookcase (cat. no. RDS.530) with glazed doors, containing bound volumes. From left: Mr. Harry Franks, M.A., F.S.I., President of the Royal Dublin Society (1935-38), Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society (1925-42), seated at the head of the table, in right profile, wearing a navy suit, in his right hand a scrunched blueprint plan; The Hon. William Evelyn Wylie, K.C., Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society (1926-64), President of the Royal Dublin Society (1938-41), Executive Committee Chairman (1936-59), seated right of Franks, directed front, gazing left, wearing a light brown, three-piece suit, his left arm resting on the table; Mr. John Leonard, Honorary Secretary of the Royal Dublin Society (1935-42), Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society (1942-46), seated right of Wylie, directed front, gazing left, wearing a grey, three-piece suit and blue bowtie, his chin resting in his left hand, his right arm lying across the top rail of Wylie’s chair; Prof. Felix Edward Hackett, M.A., Ph.D., Honorary Secretary of the Royal Dublin Society (1933-53), Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society (1956-70), President of the Royal Dublin Society (1953-56), standing behind Leonard, directed front, gazing left, wearing a grey three-piece suit, holding open an architectural drawing; unsigned.
O’Brien, William Dermod, 1865–1945
1939
Office of Public Works
1924
1927
1928
Guinness, Arthur Edward, Baron Ardilaun, 1840-1915
Portrait painting--20th century
Portrait of Arthur Edward Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, the bearded and mustachioed subject depicted half length in three-quarter left profile, wearing black tie, against a black background. Signed l.r. Orpen.
Orpen, William, Sir, 1878-1931
1910
RDS_treasures_161_Orpen_Arthur Guinness Ardilaun.jpg
Portrait painting, Irish--20th century
Portrait of Charles Uniacke Townshend (1828-1907), land agent, Vice-President of the Royal Dublin Society (1893-1907), Honorary Secretary of the Royal Dublin Society (1887-93). The subject depicted three-quarter length, in three-quarter left profile, gazing front; seated in a carver armchair, his right arm resting on the drop-leaf of a writing bureau, his left hand resting on his left knee; wearing a slightly forked full beard, dark coat and white waistcoat; set against a non-descript, dark-coloured background; unsigned.
1905
RDS_treasures_166_Orpen_Charles Uniacke Townshend.jpeg
Portrait painting
Stevenson, Walter Clegg, 1877–1931
Walter Clegg Stevenson (1877–1931), surgeon and radiologist at Dr. Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin. The subject depicted bust length, directed and gazing front; seated on a hoop-back, Windsor style chair; moustachioed and wearing a dark coloured, three-piece suit, dark blue tie and white shirt with standing wing-tip collar; set against a non-descript brown-coloured background. Signed lower right Walter Osborne.
Osborne, Walter F. (Walter Frederick), 1859-1903
1902
RDS_treasures_165_Osborne_Walter Clegg Stevenson.jpg
Musical instruments
Semi-abstract sculpture of two cellos standing back-to-back.
Pálfy, Miklós A.
20th century
Pangnirtung (Inuit community)
Sculpture, Canadian
A carved head of a walrus, the head of soapstone, the tusks of scrimshaw.
Pangnirtung Co-operative
1977
Thalia, Muse of Comedy
Sculpture, Classical, in art
Bust of Thalia, Muse of Comedy, the subject modelled slightly to proper right, with blind eyes; wearing a chiton, belted beneath the bust and secured at each shoulder with a pin of disc form, and a fruit and foliate wreath on her head; on a white marble socle of circular, waisted form; copied from the original statue of Thalia at the Vatican Museums; unsigned.
Panormo, Constantine, c.1805-1852
1827
Kerry and Dexter Cattle and other ancient Irish Breeds: A History
Agriculture
The digital reproduction of Kerry and Dexter Cattle and other ancient Irish Breeds: A History by Patrick Leonard Curran.
Patrick Leonard Curran
1990
Print
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from John Perry],
Handwritten letter from John Perry, Leonard Street, London, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 13th February 1893. Perry discusses a mutual acquaintance. 4pp. Sir Fitzgerald Thank you for writing - I was worrying myself. "The Electrician" manager tells me that he is quite sure J O.H's not having made any other [?] them from him + the total amount in [?] £120 during the last four years. A. W. Heaviside has obtained from the Devonshire banker who knows exactly O.H's income, the information that during last year he received [?] £51....... (I haven't the letter in my pocket so I cannot give you the shilling and pence). I think this will be enough information for the committee God knows I have felt very mean once or twice I'm trying [?] Of course if the committee give the money it will be on account of poverty. Nobody beyond ourselves and the committee need know of this. I'm speaking to Trotter and other I always put it "a grant from the R.S and possibly, a pension" But he may be very angry if he accepts and afterwards thinks that we have in any way deceived him into accepting charity. Rayleigh says that if he will ask for a grant (or possibly if we ask for him but he is not sure of this) of money to buy books or [?] for any specific investigation or kind of investigation (it need not be specified with too much exaction he will certainly obtain a grant from the other fund. I wonder if he would consent to deliver a course of say eight special evening
Perry, John, 1850-1920
Botany
The digital reproduction of the Flora of Inner Dublin by Peter Wyse Jackson and Micheline Sheehy Skeffington with contributions from Declan Doogue, John Ackeroyd and Donal Synnott and illustrations by Harry McConville and Evelyn Drinan.
Peter Wyse Jackson
Micheline Sheehy Skeffington
1984
Declan Doogue
John Ackeroyd
Donal Synnott
Harry McConville
Evelyn Drinan
Archaeology
Egypt, Ancient
Jewelry
Tombs
Letter from W. M. Flinders Petrie, University College London, Gower Street, London W.C., to Lawrence E. Steele, 18 Crosthwaite Park E., Dublin, dated 15 June 1901. Petrie discusses his publications and photographs. Letter is accompanied by envelope with writing on it. 5pp. Letter transcription: "My dear Sir, Thanks for your subscription. I hope soon to send you the new volumes on the XIIth Dynasty at Abydos. My own "Royal Tombs" II is in the press and I hope to have it out by 1 July. All the photographs in it can be ordered by quoting plate and number, exactly as last year. If I knew when your date of lecture was I would send you the coloured slides of the jewellery on loan. They are irreplaceable now as the negatives have been lost, though sent by registered post. So we shall have to reproduce from some prints. Yours very sincerely, Wlm. F. Petrie."
Petrie, W. M. (William Matthew) Flinders, 1853-1942
1901
Steele, Lawrence E. Correspondent
Syria
Letter from W. M. Flinders Petrie, University College London, Gower St WC, to Lawrence E. Steele, dated 21 June 1900. Petrie gives Steele information about a bronze disc. 2pp. Transcription: "My Dear Sir, The bronze disc seems perfectly genuine in its style, but I do not know any such object and should be glad if I might someday examine it. I might possibly read the read the inscription. It seems from the style to be about XXV-XXVI dyn. The most likely connection for it would be the style of work at Marathus in Syria; if it be a coin at all it my be early Phoenician. But it looks pure Egyptian. It is a pity so little is known as to the meanings of scarabs. Nothing can be said about those you ask about, beyond what is obvious to you. The exhibition will be open July 2 to 25. The main interest is the clearing up of them 1st Aug. Yours very truly, Wlm. Flinders Petrie."
Petrie, W. M. Flinders (William Matthew Flinders), 1853-1942
Photography
Letter from W. M. Flinders Petrie, 8 Well Road, Hampstead, to Lawrence E. Steele, dated 29 October 1900. Petrie discusses Steele's order of glass plate slides and photographing a grave. 2pp. Transcription: "Dear Mr Steele, The negatives will be all numbered by the book plates of Royal Tombs in a day or two, and then your order for slides will go to Mr Murray along with the negatives for him to print. I have no photo of the minor graves, as it is a long matter to arrange a grave to give an intelligible photo. It takes 1/2 to 1 hour to dress a grave to be photographed, with all the bones [b?] and cleaned and everything in place and ritual. I am off in a few days to Egypt. I hope you, Mr Brooke and others may work up a branch of the E.E.F. in Dublin. You could then have some things sent over. Yours sincerely, Wlm. F. Petrie"
1900
Portrait painting--18th century
Portrait painting, Irish
Bowes, John Bowes, Baron, 1690-1767
Posthumous portrait of John Bowes (1690-1767), Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland, later 1st Baron Bowes of Clonlyon, County Meath, and Lord High Chancellor of Ireland (1757-1767). The subject modelled bust length in proper right three-quarter profile, gazing front, wearing robes of office, with lace-edged bands and full-bottom wig. Alexander Pope was a pupil at the Royal Dublin Society Drawing Schools.
Pope, Alexander, 1763-1835
1783
Daunt, George, 1712-1786
Mercer's Hospital
Portrait of Dr. George Daunt (1712-1786), surgeon to Mercer’s Hospital, Dublin. The subject depicted bust length, directed left, gazing front; wearing an orange-satin, negligé cap, a collarless and cutaway coat of brown brocade with blue lining and brown brocade buttons, a collarless, brown waistcoat, and a white stock with plain bands; set against a non-descript, grey-coloured background; unsigned. Alexander Pope was a student at the Royal Dublin Society Drawing Schools.
1780
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from Mary Power Lawlor],
Education
Handwritten letter from Mary Power Lawlor, 20 Kildare Street, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 14 November 1898. The letter discusses the development of "practical technical instruction" for girls attending National Schools in Ireland. 2pp.
Power Lawlor, Mary
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Katherine M. Preston]
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900.
Joly, John, 1857-1933.
Royal Dublin Society.
Boyle Medal
Science Awards
Handwritten letter from Katie Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written from the Preston home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin on behalf of her husband, Thomas Preston. He is unable to attend the upcoming meeting of the Council of the Royal Society, where he is to receive the Boyle Medal. The Prestons ask Fitzgerald to act as his representative and accept the medal on his behalf during the presentation. Katie writes that Fitzgerald was a “constant friend” to Preston and influenced his scientific career. She concludes that Preston’s health is “gaining day by day” and they trust that “no drawback will happen.” The date of the meeting is not yet known, but Dr Joly will confirm the details [Preston died of a perforated ulcer less than 2 months later]. 3pp.
Preston, Katherine M
31 January 1900
Preston, Katherine M Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900. RDS Library & Archives
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Thomas Preston],
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondence
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 22 November 1899. Preston writes from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. He writes that he is recovering from illness and was not allowed to receive Fitzgerald’s recent visit. He is eager to meet Fitzgerald and hear the latest news. He congratulates him for receiving a medal and hopes his recent operation will give him “a new lease of life.” He writes that he plans to resume scientific work when his health has improved. 3pp.
22 November 1899
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900 Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondent RDS Library & Archives
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin, and dated 20 April 1896. He wrote that he had enclosed a note written on 18 March when he was in Skibbereen. The note contains information about scientific experiments in “the quarter period of phase acceleration crux,” which appears when calculating a wave at an external point using the Huygens–Fresnel method. The ideas may be relevant for researching matters of “wave motion.” At first, he thought that the information was insignificant, but he now thinks it may be useful for future publication and would like to hear Preston’s opinion about the subject. 4pp.
20 April 1896
Spectrum analysis.
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written from Skibbereen, County Cork and dated 18 March 1896. He writes about hypothetical scientific experiments, spectrum analysis, ether, and calculations. He describes experimental scenarios involving the generation of waves of vibrations in spheres, the use of ether, and calculations. The letter includes revisions written in red ink. 4pp.
18 March 1896
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Thomas Preston].
Stoney, G. Johnstone 1826-1911.
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald about scientific theorems. The letter’s masthead is from the Portarlington Arms Hotel of Corcoran’s, Roscrea. Preston thanks Fitzgerald for his letter about Dr G. Johnstone Stoney’s theorem. He wrote to Stoney and Lord Rayleigh [John William Strutt Rayleigh] about his extension of Fourier’s Theorem and they encouraged him to publish it. Stoney seemed “alarmed” that he would steal his ideas. Preston’s “new” mathematical extension of Fourier’s Theorem was not contemplated by Stoney, who did not realise that his theorem was really Fourier’s. Preston wants to publish his work without intruding on Stoney’s domain. He writes that he will meet Fitzgerald in College. 4pp.
Education, Secondary.
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald. Preston writes from the Inns of Court Hotel Limited, London [entrances: High Hilborn and Lincoln’s End Fields]. He thanks Fitzgerald for his help and sympathy during their “great trial.” Preston writes that he has been carrying out school inspections on behalf of the Department for the past two weeks and will return the following evening, after which he hopes to have a free week in Dublin. He writes about a recent lecture he gave at the Royal Institution, which he describes as “fairly intelligible.” He met attendees afterwards. He suffered a “very bad gastric attack” recently and fasted for 2-3 days. He writes about the “bismuth spiral,” a chemical element used in his experiments, which is manufactured by Hartmann and Braun, Frankfurt. He writes that he has looked at the Echelon Spectroscope in Hilgers and doubts that it will be useful except in some “particular cases.” The spectroscope has a problem with “overlapping.” 4pp.
18 May 1899
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900. Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondent RDS Library & Archives
[Letter to Dr. A. J. Foord from Thomas Preston],
Foord, A. J.
Radiation
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to RDS Librarian Dr A. J. Foord, written from his home at Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. Preston writes that he encloses the manuscript of his paper about Radiation Phenomena, which he describes as the second part of a former paper printed in the Transactions which is of a “most important character.” He trusts that Ford will “rapidly” proceed with the printing because the results are to be released “as soon as possible.” He writes that the figures are made of swiper [?] straight lines and can be “set up by the compositor,” which means that there will be no delay or extra expenses. 2pp.
19 January 1899
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900 RDS Library & Archives
Spectrum analysis
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald about Fitzgerald’s upcoming scientific experiment. Preston writes from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. He intends to visit the laboratory the next day to observe the experiment and gain “practical hints” that may benefit his own work by increasing “illumination” and decreasing “exposure.” He thanks Fitzgerald for sending him the rough papers. 3pp. Transcription: “My dear Prof. Fitzgerald, Many thanks for your note. I have looked into your estimation and think it first class! I shall run into your laboratory tomorrow in the afternoon to see the experiment + get any practical hints you can give me towards its adoption. I shall bless you much if it increases my illumination and decreases my exposure! Many thanks for rough papers which I just received. With kindest regards, Yours very sincerely, Thomas Preston.”
16 January 1899
Zeeman, Pieter, 1865-1943.
Queen's College, Galway.
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald. Preston wrote from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. He thanks Fitzgerald for sending a cheque for £25, which he intends to send to Yeats [possibly referring to William Butler Yeats] “to help to redress his account.” He requests to hear about Lord Rayleigh’s ideas. He criticises Nicholson’s “letter to Nature” and describes his position as “preposterous.” He states that he will reply with a letter himself. He refers to Pieter Zeeman’s academic ideas. He expresses hope that Fitzgerald’s “little boy” will get over measles and concludes that there is no news of Galway. 4pp. Transcription “My dear Prof. Fitzgerald, Many thanks for your cheque which arrived safely, good for £25. If you could manage to keep on sending them till the total reaches £200 or £300 I should be solvent again! I am sending this one to Yeats to help to redress his account but of course that will not clear up the balance still remaining due to him. I would like very much to hear more of Lord Rayleigh’s idea about [Echelon] – I do not understand exactly how he proposes to work it. Nicholson I think does not improve his position by his letter to Nature. You say he still adheres to his law as being approximately true – which is preposterous nonsense. I am writing a short reply to Nature now to say that we might as well assert that all stones were the same size as that Mr Zeeman [widening] is “the same for all lines and instances”!!! That is really the point of issue in the interference method – it does not seem capable (yet) of acting as a measurer. And Nicholson should find out what is wrong with it. I hope your little boy has “passed” measles with honours! We have not “presented” any for examination in that respect yet! No word of Galway so far. Yours very sincerely, Thomas Preston.”
15 March 1899
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. Preston writes that he has returned from a tour in the country and received his card, which contained "acceptable intelligence." Preston is surprised by the news that he has been selected to receive an honour [possibly the Boyle Medal] because he believed that his name had been withdrawn. He expresses gratitude to Fitzgerald for his "teaching and influence" and credits him for everything that he "may have done to deserve this honour." 3pp. Transcription “My dear Prof. Fitzgerald, I have just got home from a tour in the Country and found your card here awaiting me with its very acceptable intelligence. It is very kind of you to let me know and I trust the news is true. I am rather surprised, for I did not know that my name was put forward this year- in fact I understood (without any definite reason) that it was withdrawn. I feel I owe it all to you – if not directly then (what is far better) indirectly, for it is through your teaching and influence that I have done all that I may have done to deserve this honour. With kindest regards to Mrs Fitzgerald and self, Yours very sincerely, T. Preston”
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written from Tilbrush, Smith’s Hotel, and dated 24 April 1896. Preston addresses his “objections” about a scientific theory he had discussed. He discusses the effects of “compression” on spheres and the velocity of waves and states that the “’infinity’ difficulty of compression” never occurs in nature and expands his ideas about spectrum analysis. He considers the ideas important and hopes to meet Fitzgerald soon and discuss them. 4pp.
24 April 1896
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written on 28 November 1898, on paper from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. He writes that he is unable to meet Fitzgerald for dinner because he will be in Wexford the next day. He writes that he will get a lens cut for an upcoming experiment, which involves ultraviolet. He briefly describes the experiment’s methodology and includes a rough diagram of the set-up. He writes that it will not be expensive. 3pp.
28 November 1898
Handwritten letter from Thomas Preston to George F. Fitzgerald, written on 24 November 1898, on paper from his home in Bardowie, Orwell Park, Rathgar, County Dublin. He writes that he has successfully replaced the quartz lens with a glass lens, resolving the previous problems in an experiment. He spent 3 days of hard work resolving this problem. He considers options for replacing the high ultraviolet now that the quartz is gone and speculates that he may need to replace the lens with a mirror or metallic. 2pp.
24 November 1898