Thanks JC for the gift of her work The Virgin [Widow?], which both JH and his wife, Margaret, are anxious to read. JH also comments that he would like to discuss the Indian situation with JC's husband.

Astronomer Royal [G. B. Airy] has responded to RP's queries. JH was right about him being off one day in his calculation.

Discusses the possibility of a large reflecting telescope being constructed for observation of the southern heavens.

Members of B.A.A.S. doubt private funding for telescope will be forthcoming soon [see see TR's 1849-10-21, JH's 1849-10-27, & TR's 1849-11-1]. Will apply to government for funds. Asks JH's advice regarding telescope design.

Reports that [Annibal] de Gasparis has discovered a new asteroid, Parthenope. Gasparis credits JH with the discovery because JH had proposed the name Parthenope when AG had discovered Hygeia.

Mentions cirrus cloud formations foreshadowing aurora. Is unable to attend R.S.L. committee meetings and concerned that 'outlying' members be able to relay opinions through letters.

Proposes date for next and perhaps final R.S.L. government grant committee meeting. Wishes there were more funding. Predicts results of meeting. Updates on ES's health.

Requests JH's opinion on his calculation on 'solar and sidereal ratios.'

Thanks to the Royal Bavarian Academy of Science for electing JH a 'Foreign Member.' Trusts that the Academy received a copy of JH's Cape Results.

Thanks for sharing ideas of CC and Sir Edward Ryan regarding taking a step toward making India self-governing. Discusses these ideas.

Announces the discovery by Annibal de Gasparis of the asteroid Parthenope; gives its location.

Thanks GG for a publication on mensuration. Praises it, but having never favored the French metrical system, JH doubts the usefulness of a system that departs from it.

Sending JH a paper by WW on the nature of induction. Reformulating Aristotle's view. Discusses a proposed Royal Visitation, which WW opposes.

Thanks for WW's paper on Aristotle. Discusses the philosophical meaning of the term conception. Mentions a visitation to the universities involving the Royal Commission on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge [on which JH eventually served].

Announcing his discovery of a new planet. Gives readings.

JDH describes his journey so far with Thomas Thomson [TT]. They have collected species of weeds, & fruiting branches of Calamus for RBG Kew. Discusses identification of plants with Martius & Griffiths descriptions. Lists species collected: C. rotang of Roxburgh, C. fasciculatus, rose of Bengal, R. involucrate. JDH sent 40 baskets of Orchideae & Rhododendron plants from Rampore to Bell in Calcutta [Kolkata]. Many plants died in Calcutta Gardens, including Jock Smith’s. JDH recommends a cool frame to grow them in England. JDH left larches at Darjeeling growing well, but sent all Rhododendron to Falconer. Comments on Thwaites’ new position [at the Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, Botanic Garden]. JDH suggests [George] Gardner neglected the gardens for the dried specimens. Discusses Thwaites’ plan for a collection of Cinghalese plants. Discusses Lord Torrington’s character. Describes sketches from Cathcart he is sending to Fitch in London: one of Kinchinjunga [Kanchenjunga] & the range around it from Major Crommelin, & a scene of a tree fern & Caryota with K[anchen]junga behind. Mentions the death of Mrs Turner. JDH expresses doubt about identification of R. thomsoni B. JDH hopes the dry specimens will allow Fitch to draw them. Discusses naming a plant after Strachey. Commends Dalzell's descriptions. Briefly mentions Cape Comorin [Kanyakumari] & Bombay [Mumbai]. JDH is disappointed African teak is not a Vitex. Discusses changes at Woods & Forests Department & Lord Seymour's appointment. Tells WJH of Mr Francis, an Assistant Surgeon in the East India Company, who claimed to know botany, this JDH found to be false. Cathcart began a drawing of Helen Campbell but failed to finish.

No summary available.

No summary available.

No summary available.