R.S.L. business about an observatory at the North Cape in Sweden.

G. B. Airy needs HL to send him the information used to set up colonial magnetic observatories.

About the urgent need to prepare a report on the magnetic observations, and that HL is the most logical person to give direction to it.

GA's correspondence with [R.S.L. president] Lord Northampton [S. J. A. Compton] will be read before Physical Committee. JH favors establishing national physical observatory and experimental institute, but wishes plan had been discussed more fully. Proposes sites, procedures, and instruments for magnetic and meteorological observations in Britain. Ideas for experimental institute.

Sends to HL a sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell, comparing Brussels declination observations with those made in Toronto. JH frequently refers to HL's work on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.

Has received JL's memoir on the tides. JH would like to amalgamate certain portions with a memoir from William Whewell. JH adds some comments on photographic experiments he has made.

Returns, with many thanks, the report of George Everest. Gives adverse comment on the alterations that Everest has made to some of the instruments.

Thanks RH for a sample of Daguerreotype paper. Comments on some aspects of the action of 'thermic' rays and 'chemical' rays in photography.

Offers HO a small requiem, which JH's family sung at the beginning of the astronomical year at the memorial of the 40-foot reflector.

Is trying to reduce the ill feeling between GN and Andries Stockenström relating to the governing of the Cape colony; JH feels hampered by limited information.

About the desirability of closing a restricted public footpath across JH's property at Slough.

Dissatisfied with R.S.L. procedures for establishing magnetic and meteorological observatory. Called meeting of Physical Committee tomorrow and invited G. B. Airy to attend. Busy reducing JH's observations from Cape of Good Hope.

Recommends printing all three papers sent to JH—G. B. Airy's on spectral bands, [Robert] Hunt's on influence of iodine on photographic papers, and that by Lord Oxmantown [William Parsons] on large reflecting telescopes.

Sorry that JH missed RJ at W. H. Fitton's. Offers proposal to modify property taxation procedures to yield 'taxation by payments downward' and to decrease load on poorer classes.

Believes that R.S.L.'s request for £3000 grant to establish permanent magnetic and meteorological observatory is too hasty. Urges caution. Points out potential problems.

[Letter begins 11 Dec. 1839] Wrote to John Russell and Charles Grant in support of school system [at Cape of Good Hope]. [Letter continues 6 Jan. 1840:] JH sent to Colonial office testimonials for four applicants [for schoolmaster] approved by Russell. Notes devastating effect of dismissal on Andries Stockenström. Took liberty to inform Russell of JH's and GN's views on harshness of this dismissal. [Letter continues 12 Jan.:] Russell will appoint four schoolmasters picked by JH. [P.S. 11 Feb.:] JH is moving to Collingwood. Russell indicates sympathy for Stockenström. JH hopes this means new assignment for Stockenström.

Has called special meeting of Physical Committee to discuss SC's response to R.S.L.'s proposal to establish permanent observatory. Expresses JH's opinion and recommends temporary observatory instead. Keep this issue separate from funding for publication of present observations.

Appeals to JR on behalf of Andries Stockenström, whose dismissal from Cape Colony created grief. Stockenström is ready to resign that office if he can do so in a manner that permits him to continue his career in government.

Thanks for series of portraits of members of Ipswich Museum.

Thanks for [?]'s note and enclosed sonnet. Sorry that old church was replaced during JH's absence from England.