Additional Manuscripts c

Further to Herschel's intention of going to Madeira [see WW to RJ, 28 May 1827]: 'he has some half intention of going farther - probably to Teneriffe to add to his stock of volcanic observaions - I was told too that he did not wish these plans to be talked of, as his lady mother will most likely set her face against them'. WW needs to become more 'aquainted with mineralogy if I really am to be professor...To confess to you a secret, which I hardly confess to myself, I much doubt whether this professorship is a business I shall make anything of. It will take a long time to turn me into a good mineralogist and lead me into paths out of the way of my favourite pursuits'.