Congratulates JH on his latest child. Notes that data from James Ross show great disturbances at the Kerguelen station simultaneously with Toronto and Greenwich. Has sent various data to C. F. Gauss. Wilhelm Weber reports a new magnetic station at Havana recording by the British system. Notes Ross's dip data supports Gauss's theoretical expectations.

Norwegian government plans to support a magnetic observatory. Discusses details concerning R.S.L. logistical support and sources for instruments and training. Encloses Wilhelm Weber's letter concerning the instruments. Notes Charles Riddell's return and Lieutenant Younghusband's continued good work.

Forwards request of the Secretary of the Treasury for justification of public monies for expenses incurred for magnetic and meteorological observations of the Antarctic expedition. Brief note from JH should suffice for House approval. Note should mention G. B. Airy's request concerning the reduction of the Greenwich lunar and planetary observations and Francis Beaufort's concerning navigation. ES promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

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.

Quotes passage from C. E. Trevelyan (Treasury Office) to [Hussey] Vivian concerning the number of copies of published data and the number of magnetic observatories. Requests JH's perusal and advice. Includes letter from [A. T.] Kupffer on latest observations.

Relates discussion with [Hussey] Vivian on magnetic survey of Africa and Treasury support thereof. Discusses administration of various stations.

Discusses the reductions and publication of magnetic observations from various stations. Describes report of the Antarctic expedition and the determination of the magnetic pole. Endorses proposal for Canadian Survey. Discusses survey of South Africa and British Guiana.

Expresses his approval of James Ross's Antarctic survey, providing some of the details of it and his determination of the south magnetic pole. Gives details of Ross's plans.

Mentions a deletion of part of James Ross's dispatch. Clerk is receiving instructions from Charles Riddell before sailing to the Cape of Good Hope, from which observatory he expects a report in eight months. Asks whether the R.S.L. should request government funding for Cape observations and experiments. Wonders if astronomical and magnetic observers there could assist each other. Requests information on the atmosphere.

Speculation about land masses and climate in Arctic regions. Extols James Ross's talents. Discusses John Dalton's pension and who should be devoting efforts for approving pensions.

Discusses recent magnetic disturbances and their publication, as well as sending reports on them to G. B. Airy, Humphrey Lloyd, C. F. Gauss, and others.

Encloses letter from G. B. Airy. Suggests new method of magnetic observation.

Presents data on various disturbances. Awaits advice from C. F. Gauss. Discusses determination of intervals between observations. Mentions proposal to continue observations for 3 years.

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

On discrepancy of data from G. B. Airy and Humphrey Lloyd. Captain Boileau and John Caldecott exchange instruments to normalize data. Will send letters from Airy, [A. T.] Kupffer, Lloyd, ES, and JH to John Lubbock and the R.S.L. Council concerning the discrepancies.

Discusses plans for publishing magnetic storm data. Mentions transportable magnetic instruments and their use for a travelling observatory on an expedition to the Falkland Islands.

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