RS's progress in establishing standards of measurement. Lists objections to earlier methods of measuring. Compares various materials for use in making bars for measurement standards.

Seeks interview with JH on subject of orthography of unwritten languages. Lists six African languages into which Church Missionary Society has translated Scriptures.

Objects to appointment of G. B. Airy as sole referee in determining contract for making Great Clock at Westminster Palace. Forwards copies of letters and papers that demonstrate Airy's prejudice and ill will toward BV and Mr. Whitehurst.

Permission is granted for JH to order construction of dome for Cape of Good Hope observatory.

[P.S. on verso of cover. Rest of letter is missing.] Notified Mrs. Knipping of kind wishes sent by JH and wife. Will notify JH when personal effects of Caroline Lucretia Herschel have been inventoried and distributed according to JH's directions. Questions fate of [telescope] given to [J. F. L.] Hausmann by Caroline Herschel now that Hausmann is dead. Suggests donating it to observatory at Göttingen or to 'Archiv' in Hanover.

Financial matters are dealt with relating to the purchase of a telescope [for Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope].

A note accompanying a letter from Thomas Maclear, forwarded to JH.

Caroline Herschel's death and funeral. Awaiting JH's instructions for disposition of property and headstone inscription. Erroneous biographies appearing in French and German papers. Encloses copy of response from Mr. Hahn, bookseller, to manuscript by Margaret Louisa Herschel. [P.S., 3 Feb. 1848] Accidentally burned JH's Latin inscription for Caroline Herschel. Does JH have copy?

Writes about matters relating to the death of JH's aunt Caroline.

Writes of the death of JH's aunt Caroline. Is happy that Caroline is at rest. Describes funeral. Deals with some matters related to servants and other business matters.

About legal matters related to the death of Aunt Caroline, as well as identifying friends and dignitaries who paid their respects. Deals with bills to be paid, and with the question of a memorial tablet in the church.

Responds to some of JH's concerns [see JH's 1847-12-30] about changes in instrumentation at the Royal Observatory.

A note accompanying a printed circular about the proposed changes in instrumentation at the Royal Observatory. [Encloses GA's circular to Board of Visitors.]

Proposes changes in the buildings at the Royal Observatory to accommodate the shifting of one of the telescopes [see GA's 1848-1-6].

Responds to a number of JH's concerns about buildings, instruments and printing at the Royal Observatory [see JH's 1848-1-22 & 1847-12-30].

Wants a meeting of the Board of Visitors to determine the extent of time to be given to magnetic and meteorological observations at the Royal Observatory.

Replies to JH's letter of [9]-11 stating that he will do the article on statistics for JH's Admiralty Manual, and outlines what he expects it to include and to exclude. Asks JH for directions.

States he has complied with Lord Auckland's and JH's wishes on the statistical section of the Admiralty Manual but fears such restrictions leave it little more than 'dry bones.'

Writes about 'floss[?]-growers of Kent' in response to JH's letter. Characterizes the activity as a form of lottery and profit-making in the context of the free-trade/protectionist debate.

Submits a paper [on ethnology] for JH's Admiralty Manual. Welcomes information from JH on the subject.