Has been on the Continent, which accounts for the delay replying to JH's letter of June. Regrets he cannot give an answer to JH's queries regarding the constitution of the ether. Fears his hypothesis on the density of the ether is not clear as it has misled JH. Has read Michael Faraday's papers with eagerness.

Do not let catalogues make WS uneasy. Government money is available to pay printer. Will try to bring out N. L. Lacaille's work before 25 Sept. if JH can obtain [Thomas] Henderson's papers and WS's notes for the preface. Will not interfere with [T.R.] Robinson's committee.

The B.A.A.S. grants £70 for the publication of the catalog of J. J. L. Lalande and N. L. Lacaille.

There is a need for a meeting of the Committee of Physics [R.S.L.] to discuss the current method of making temperature corrections for magnetic observations.

Detailed response to JH's 1846-10-22 about the matter of temperature corrections for magnetic observations.

Suspects that the original complainant about temperature corrections [see JH's 1846-10-22] was in fact working with a faulty magnetometer.

Thanks JH for suggestions concerning optics. Will soon build a model telescope. Asks a series of questions concerning the construction of telescopes.

Description of Pulkowa observatory sent fourteen days before. Included a listing of the library. Otto Struve works on micrometer measurements of double stars. Complains about [J. H. von] Mädler's unprofessional attitude at Dorpat. Announces 'Neptune' as new planet's name.

Sends paper on naming of Neptune. Denounces elimination of [J. C. ] Adams's part versus U. J. J. Le Verrier's role regarding Neptune. Will forward Otto Struve's paper on the expedition between Altona and Greenwich and his own Positiones mediae stellarum fixarum.

Asks whether JH's committee will consider Belfast as a location for B.A.A.S.'s catalog of stars. Remembers clearly JH's quote about Neptune. Thinks JH should not yield to the French in calling Uranus so.

Discusses controversy over the discovery of Neptune. Astronomical committee of R.S.L. advised to award U. J. J. Leverrier the Copley Medal.

Requesting help in procuring person for the staff of the South African College.

Just returned from nine weeks on the continent. Met Miss Caroline Herschel, who mentioned a catalogue of John Flamsteed's stars to which she had attached some notes.

Is thinking of writing an account of the new planet.

Regarding the slow motion screw in declination.

Regarding his paper about the new planet. Attacks by article in the Athenaeum.

Family news.

Will place J. F. Encke's request before the Council, but sees no difficulty in copying the letters at Somerset House. Is waiting for the return of George Peacock (Dean of Ely) before summoning council.

Thanks for sending J. R. Hind's letter about the new planet. Erected his equatorial on Saturday. Gives some of his observations on Saturn. Has sent William Lassell a prism by Georg Merz.

Thanks for the copy of the Guardian containing his own letter about the discovery of the new planet. Award of the Copley medal to U. J. J. Leverrier should allay French jealousies. Gives details of his own observations.