Replies to [?]'s questions about 'Mr. Bethune's suggestions' concerning terminology to be used for standards of weight and measure. Agrees with G. B. Airy that term 'land' should be used with 'land chain' unit.

Expresses reservations about Samuel Brown's work. Apologizes for delay in trying calotype; has done only some vegetable substance trials.

Explains the phenomenon known as the 'harvest moon.'

Suggests a resolution of a small amount of money having to do with the exchange of some chairs; also asks about a dining room table.

Is unable to come to London for the Standards Commission meeting and thus will also not be able to come to the dinner party. Encloses some recent photographs.

Insists on inclusion of all data and graphs in the publication of the accumulated magnetic observations, made as part of 'perhaps the very greatest scientific operation ... ever ... undertaken....' Urges that funding be sought from the government.

Provides examples to justify governmental support of various magnetic and meteorological observations. States that 'Terrestrial magnetism ... of all sciences of observation holds out the greatest present prospect of decisive reduction under ... exact theory.' Mentions work by N. L. Lacaille and Thomas Maclear at the Cape.

Advice for standardizing observations, to be given to the Physical Committee of the R.S.L.

Thanks WS for Pulkowa Medal. Problematic health and large family make visit to WS impossible. Mentions [Francis] Baily's hope of terminating 'Cavendish experiment.' Sends copy of 'Revision of Southern Constellations.'

Discusses a letter in which JH explains why JH cannot, as a British subject, accept the foreign order offered him [by the Danish king]. Asks HS to read over the letter and to decide how it should be delivered.

JH replies (to RS:HS 15.389) that neither JH nor his father held that the moon influenced the atmosphere, though JH does connect a full moon with a clear sky. [Eliza] Hamilton, sister of W. R. Hamilton, has published some poetry that is not well known, but deserving. Cannot accept foreign order.

Will not attend B.A.A.S. meeting at Plymouth. Invites AQ to visit, preferably before 29 July, the date of the meeting. Sends thanks to [P. F.] Verhulst for elliptic functions.

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of 24 versus 36 hour series in meteorological observations. R.S.L. officially endorses 24 hours, but AQ should continue 36 hours if best for him. Does not possess the Comptes rendus of French Institute and cannot therefore see No. 413. Will attempt to procure sight of it. Asks AQ to return [P. F.] Verhulst's work to him. Expresses respect for AQ's work. Asks for understanding if JH does not answer every letter promptly.

GA and JH are on a committee (with Thomas Henderson) of the B.A.A.S. to supervise the reduction of N. L. Lacaille's star observations; JH encloses a draft report.

Wishes not to be re-elected as chair of R.S.L. Physical Committee, feeling that JH's distance from London and other occupations impede Committee's efficiency.

Encloses letter on and discusses extent of government aid for proposed Hammerfest magnetic observatory and various alternatives with regard to it.

Outlines advantages of placing magnetometers for Hammerfest Observatory at Edward Sabine's disposal, so that he can instruct those going to Toronto and the Cape in their use.

Recommends that William Parsons be awarded Royal Medal for 'Account of Experiments on the Reflecting Telescope.'

On mode of conveyance of WH's sister's verses and the autographs for JH's acquaintance.

Requests autographed copy of WH's sister's poems, wanting to send them to an acquaintance who translated some of JH's work. Expresses a theory about cause and effect. Mentions minutes of Royal Irish Academy, a reform of the constellations, and WH's three axes of the universe.