Welcome home to the Herschels.

Of family troubles, and Matilda's impending marriage.

Encourages JH to visit at Nantes.

Writes a second letter to clarify the first [see JH's 1831-3-3] about a matter involving the Greenwich Observatory and the Astronomical Society.

Declines to serve on a committee to assist the Council of the R.S.L. to revise its charter and statutes.

Has been laid up with a cold and unable to answer his letter. Congratulations on the new baby. Hopes mother and child are doing well. Will wait for confirmation of his son's marriage before sending the news to the papers.

Regrets to hear of the death of JH's mother. Has lost many friends and relatives during the last eight years. Staying with his two sons and has retired so would welcome a visit from the Herschels.

His son Thomas has set out for France and he himself is in London to see the passage of a bill through Parliament. Would be grateful for letters of introduction to M.P.'s with which JH is acquainted.

James's daughter has improved in health and there are hopes for her recovery. Bill passed through the House of Commons successfully. Would be glad to receive letters of introduction to any members of the House of Lords with which JH may be acquainted.

Expresses his views to FB about the meeting of the Admiralty, Greenwich Observatory, [and members of the Astronomical Society?] held the previous day.

Offers to smooth the way for WS in communicating with the various astronomers on the Continent whom JH knows.

Is grateful for the loan of the book. Comments on some of [Alexander?] Stewart's works, especially his Gaelic ones. Queries regarding light in William Buckland's Bridgewater treatise; would like to borrow the volume if possible.

Recommends some changes in committee report being prepared that deals with the use to be made of the Royal Observatory's observational data.

Is advising Mr. R about a number of considerations to be taken into account while considering an invitation to apply for the position of Professor of Mathematics at the College of William and Mary in the United States.

Introducing a friend, Lieut. R. J. Nelson of the Royal Engineers, who is a lover of science. Trusts JH is enjoying good health.

Is very pleased with the results of WD's double star observations of Zeta Cancri, which William Stratford forwarded to JH.

Suggests an improvement in measuring techniques for astronomical observations, by making the angular measurement by direct and then reflected vision. JH wonders whether this idea might be appended to a paper currently under consideration by the R.A.S.

Discusses a variety of observations related to double stars, and asks FS to make some specific observations to compare with JH's work. Reveals JH's dream of going to the Southern Hemisphere for a number of years, but asks FS to keep it quiet, as 'many ties' stand in the way.

Comments with great satisfaction on WD's observations, and their close agreement with JH's for many of the same double stars.

A stiff and formal letter telling WF very clearly that JH fully agrees with the Newtonian system [as WF clearly does not], and that JH would not consider trying to apply pressure to the editors of philosophical magazines to publish WF's writings, in spite of threats from WF.