M^r Bishop’s observatory,
Regent’s Park
1847 October 22^nd

Sir,

I feel greatly obliged to you for the mention of the name you propose for the new Planet. Some time before I received your letter, the choice of a name and symbol had been referred to Sir John Herschel, who after consideration has fixed upon Flora with the “Rose of England” as an emblem, under the following form. ^<1> Under these circumstances I have no power to adopt the name Calypso, which, however, I like very much.

I rather incline to Olber’s hypothesis, perhaps for want of a better. At any rate I feel certain there are more planets to find.

I am, Sir, Your most Obedient Serv^t
J. R. Hind

H. Fox Talbot Esqre
&c &c &c

[address panel:]
To /
H. Fox Talbot Esq^re
Athenæum Club
Pall Mall

---

Notes:

1. The 'minor planets' were small objects that regularly orbited the sun, such as asteroids. On 18 October 1847, Hind discovered the 8^th such object observed (there are now thousands); Sir John Herschel named it Flora, whose symbol in ancient times was the Rose of England, saying "Flora will attract all eyes and fill all imaginations with sweet and graceful images."