Thanks for information [on latest platina research]. Has encountered 'a totally new metallic chemistry.' Searching for papers by Mr. Gros and Mr. Beiset. Describes JH's experiments with 'Platinoids,' which JH named like asteroids: Heberum, Astraeum, and Neptunium.

Encloses JH's letter of 11 Oct., which was not mailed to RK. Discovered traces of titanium in Astraeum. Puzzled by saline compounds that appear in JH's experiments with 'Platinoids.'

Grateful that AK withheld 'fanatical letter' addressed to Caroline Herschel. JH authorized Drummonds Bank in London to honor any check from [A. A.] Mühry up to £50 to pay for Caroline's needs. Tell Miss [Sophie] Beckedorff and Dr. Mühry to use this channel, rather than writing to JH directly.

Agrees that H. C. Schumacher and foreign institutions should be added to list of recipients for catalogs. Please submit recommended names to B.A.A.S. Needs addresses of [W. S.] Stratford and Paramatta observatory. Complications in mailing B.A.A.S. catalog to foreign recipients.

Agrees to a request to forward some work to BL.

Tells AB about the state of education in South Africa when JH was there, comments on his part in such reforms as were made, and gives all the credit to Sir George Napier.

Discusses use of 'force' versus use of 'power' in translating [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Says science has outgrown 'force.' [See 1847-10-8]

Thanks AQ for package No. 32. Asks AQ to acknowledge receipt of JH's Cape Results. Commends AQ for outstanding work on magnetic meteorological and periodic phenomena.

Thanks WH for 'plan' of [asteroid] Iris. Family is happy to have WH's son (JH's son William's friend) with them for holidays. Recounts their playful and adventurous activities.

Has dealt with the problem of thanking H. C. Schumacher [see GA's 1847-10-6].

Gives information from W. R. Hamilton on the location of the asteroid Iris. Proposes R.A.S. begin collecting observations of sunspots, the goal being a complete series of 'the sun's aspect for every day of every year.' Offers the observations of H. Griesbach for 1846 as a 'nest egg' as well as some of his own. Requests address of G. Schwinck, who prepared a star atlas. Reports on F. G. W. Struve's Neptune observations.

JH expects that CH has received the copy of his Cape Results that he sent recently.

Clarifies the agenda for the next R.A.S. meeting, and reports that the large refracting telescope is on the way to the Cape.

Thanks WS for copy of W. S. Jacob paper on American telescope. Hopes that Jacob will attempt Talbotypes of sun spots while at Aden.

Sending him details of the system of Education used at the Cape.

Thanks GB for making exception. Will send copies [of JH's Cape Results] immediately to American legation. Offers personal copy to GB. Notes national and private efforts at astronomy in America.

JH avoids participating in meteorological enquiry. Suggests improvements on WB's plan to establish government office to collect and publish meteorological reports from worldwide network of military stations. Has read Francis Ronalds's papers.

About observing stars with the transit circle, and timing the annulus [of an eclipse?].

Was too cloudy to observe the eclipse; very worried about the health of Thomas Maclear.

Thanks for excellent Talbotypes. Notes how few photographs are 'perspective representations on a vertical plane' and suggests how to correct this.