Received order for self-recording photographic instruments for magnetic observations from Mr. Bolyani, who plans to improve observatory at University of Kazan. ES quoted prices for making these in London and invited Bolyani to inspect observatory at Kew. ES now prefers Shanghai to Peking as site for observatory. Geographic distribution of global observatories. Reading JH's 'Physical Geography' [1859]. Sends two sunspot photographs from Kew.

Asks permission to include JH on R.S.L. committee, headed by C. J. Selwyn (relative of George Peacock) and Dr. Beale, to purchase portrait of Peacock from artist Douglas Blakiston. Self-recording magnetic instruments have reached Washington safely.

Will assist JH in preparing review of terrestrial magnetism. Progress in publishing vol. 2 of observations from St. Helena. Prince Albert favors new observatories and hopes to see JH [at B.A.A.S. meeting] in Aberdeen. Research in British colonies. Demonstration of Mr. Gossert's apparatus by [T. R.] Robinson.

A. D. Bache reports that self-recording instruments are installed at Washington observatory and ready to begin observations. ES is making field observations to confirm changes in magnetic lines in England since ES's 1837 survey. [JH annotation: Summary of Bache's letter. Joint survey by Smithsonian Institution and U.S. Coast Survey will begin when Bache receives full instructions from Sabine.]

Does JH wish to alter ES's reply to A. D. Bache? Origins of names for American rivers. Hopes JH is well enough to accept the invitation of Lord Aberdeen [G. Hamilton-Gordon].

Replied to J. A. da Silva that Kew Observatory would gladly train Portuguese observers and superintend manufacture of instruments, but that ES could not speak for English government. [JH annotation: Summary of letter from da Silva, director of meteorological observatory in Lisbon, requesting training for Portuguese observers at Kew, British influence on Portuguese government to join magnetic survey, and advice on instruments.]

Notified Richard Owen that Kew observatory is ready to receive trainees for magnetic observations. Stewart Balfour estimates six weeks to train observers, who will then take instruments and leave for British Columbia or Shanghai. New observatory at University of Mississippi in U.S. American Association for the Advancement of Science has expressed interest in magnetic survey. Success in photographing sunspots, which R. C. Carrington and Warren de La Rue will supervise. Recent observations.

Encloses ES's résumé of magnetic surveys accomplished by U.K., written to encourage similar surveys in China and North America. Perhaps JH may append this to JH's report.

Proper procedure for communicating with Charles Grey. Cost and effectiveness of self-registering instruments versus older visual instruments. ES's method of estimating observatory expenses. Importance of observatory in Shanghai.

Extract of letter from Charles Grey, asking B.A.A.S. to inform Prince Albert of estimated expenses for proposed five-year survey of terrestrial magnetism. As president of joint committee of B.A.A.S. and R.S.L., JH should answer this. Entry of three U.S. observatories may eliminate need for observatory in Newfoundland. Recent visit to Kew by A. T. Kupffer suggests that Russian stations may soon have self-recording instruments. Proposes suspending observatory in Falkland Islands until colonies decide to join survey. Dutch observatory in Java. Describes buildings needed for observatories. Estimates expenses for six years.

Announces meeting of Kew Committee at Observatory on 29 Aug.

Announces meeting of Council at Marishal College, Aberdeen on 14 Sept.

Shares JB's experiences with visual abnormalities similar to those described in JH's 'Sensorial Vision' (1858). Encloses copy of related subject that JB found in Section 45 of John Locke's 'On the Conduct of the Understanding.'

Sending CD's new book, The Origin of Species. Acknowledges CD's deep obligation to JH's Prelim. Discourse. 'Scarcely anything in my life made so deep an impression on me....'

Sees no need for changes to the plates for Outlines Astr.

Thanks for several papers; JH describes article on telescopes he has prepared for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Regarding JH's question about formulae for intensities of reflected light, BP encloses a paper concerning G. G. Stokes's conclusions about the direction of the plane of vibrations.

Has shown JH's son's letter to [C. E.] Trevelyan and encloses his reply. Affairs in India may become more dangerous.

About GA's plans to attend the B.A.A.S. meeting in Leeds.

Discusses desirability of middle latitude stations in North America. Impressed by the work of [A. D.] Bache.