Encourages JH to visit at Nantes.

Compares magnitudes for some specific stars and then comments more generally on that question; JH believes he will no longer be able to observe in winter in England as he is too severely afflicted by rheumatism.

Too ill to attend a demonstration by CW of one of CW's instruments [?].

Is greatly obliged for the present of flowers. Has introduced another Herschellia into the world as he has used the name for a Disa.

Please accept her heartfelt thanks for his kindness.

Has heard from G. B. Airy that T. F. Colby has written to Ireland for the compensation bars. An additional assistant has been designated but no appointment made yet. Received a letter from their good friend but does not feel justified in bringing it to the notice of a minister. Admiralty has borrowed Fuller's theodolite (from R.A.S.) and the mural circle should soon arrive. Gives Michael Faraday's analysis of the meteorolite.

Has had orders from the Treasury for full remission of duty on their astronomical instruments. Observatory will be founded early in March. Gives list of instruments added or to be added, in case JH's opinion is asked.

Is grateful for the gift to her son and for JH's time devoted to her son for his edification. Sir Gore hopes to call on the Herschels on the first fine day.

Grieved that J. C. Stewart desires schoolmaster position at Cape of Good Hope. Attests to Stewart's many business talents, and asks HP to find 'more prominent station' for Stewart.

Willing to write to [secretary of state for War and the Colonies, Charles Grant] Lord Glenelg on behalf of JS's application. JH searching for new residence.

Sends letter of recommendation for JS and returns draft of JS's letter to [Charles Grant] Lord Glenelg, with recommended changes. Promise from Glenelg's father to JS's father [A. Stewart] is grounds for JS's application.

Will give a paper on fixing the image formed by the camera obscura to R.S.L. and wants to review it with JH first.

JH is indisposed, so WT will come to Slough to review paper [see WT's 1839-1-25]. Asks JH about appropriate curve on lenses for camera obscura for 2-foot focus.

Has received urgent request from Athenaeum to allow them to publish paper on 'Photogenic Drawing' before it is read to R.S.L. in light of announcement of the 'Parisian invention.'

Submits payment to J. D. Roberton for 'Association' bills. Glad that ES approves of JH's draft article on terrestrial magnetism for Quarterly Review. Fears R.S.L. was premature in proposing experimental institutions; public was not prepared for such large expenditures for science. Prefers ES's suggestion of temporary magnetical and meteorological observatory. Strong disagreement from [C. J.] Riddell in America.

Will send two photometers and three-year supply of paper to [?]. One goes to J. C. Ross and one to F. Eardley Wilmot at Cape of Good Hope. Instructions for using photometers. Hopes [?] Robinson forwarded actinometers to Woolwich as JH directed. These should be checked at St. Helena. Instruction for using actinometers. Sent report to Humphrey Lloyd at B.A.A.S. Returns [?]'s Daguerre newspaper containing 'impudent notice about M. Pambour and his great Wheels.'

Sent wrong paper to JH in Nov. 1838. Now sends complete meteorological journal from Mr. Lees, HD's stepson. [JH annotation: Answered 18 Jan. 1839.]

Cabinet found R.S.L. recommendations unsatisfactory. Merchants are urging the value of good geographical and magnetic charts of southern ocean. Geographical Society is preparing a document. Wolverly Attwood, M.P., questioning ministers in Parliament on this matter.

Discusses Harvard University offer to make magnetic measurements. Requests ES to read Admiralty extracts. Asks questions regarding JH's upcoming review [in Quarterly Review] of several works on terrestrial magnetism.

Forwards a request from C. F. Gauss for magnetic observations made in England.