Tell Miss [Rufeneals?] that JH will take care of money owned by Miss Brandon. JH and son William will come to Collingwood for weekend. Will write to Colonial Office on behalf of [William?] Mann. Thomas Maclear will rejoice to have daughter return to Cape.

Thank daughter Isabella for account of Amelia Herschel's condition. Bank [of England] is in trouble again. Lists [Christmas] cards received. Attended Michael Faraday's wonderful lecture last night.

Thanks for MH's New Year's blessings. Divine help is sustaining JH in adversity. Family finances. Summary of 1852 accounts. Grandma [Mrs. Stewart] is ill. Mint business includes opening two Australian branches, large order for copper coinage, and decision about Mint's relationship to Bank of England. H. D. Harness is doing well.

Encloses note from W. H. B. Hamilton. Request for extension of leave for J. F. L. P. Maclear should go to captain of Meander, but JH does not know where it is, so JH wrote to captain of Victory. If Maclear receives no word by tomorrow, tell him to report to commanding officer to whom he thinks he is assigned. Problems arranging instructions in assaying for Mr. Wooley. JH and assay master H. W. Field are not on good terms. More likely that Thomas Graham and [W. A.] Miller will permit a visitor, but neither has time to train apprentices.

Wrote and asked F. L. Chantrey to write to MH. Baby Caroline is fine. Condolences as MH attends to sister Isabella.

Isabella Stewart's death seems imminent. Should JH bring baby Caroline to London for funeral? Mrs. Moorsom reports that Lady Mary Herschel needed help of physician Mr. Fowler. Baby is fine.

JH and son William arrived safely. H. C. Schumacher is out of town but JH will visit Altona anyway. Son William's reactions to travel. JH tried unsuccessfully to understand Immanuel Kant and J. G. Fichte during voyage.

Fatiguing trip from Hamburg. Mr. Groskopff is 'preparing' aunt Caroline for arrival of JH and son William. Comments on German philosophers whom JH is reading on trip. Visit with Caroline Herschel. Miss Beckedorff is out of town. Architecture and language of Hanover. Groskopffs named their country home 'Slough' near Hameln.

JH and son William made surprise visit to aunt Caroline Herschel. Mrs. Beckedorff is recovering from long illness. All Detmering family, who resided at Cumberland Lodge, are dead except Mrs. Detmering. Dr. Groskopff reports that Caroline, age 89, can still 'put her foot behind her back and scratch her ear in imitation of a dog.'

Hot temperatures killed all fish in rivers and moats of Hanover. JH's and son William's journey from Hanover through Ammensen to Göttingen. Describes outdated architecture, poor agricultural practices, and sad plight of peasant women. Attended church in Göttingen then visited C. F. Gauss at observatory. J. F. Blumenbach was too ill to receive JH and Gauss.

Received three letters from MH. Hopes 'awful visitation' left no permanent effect on MH. JH is not impressed by German philosophers. Journey to Hameln to meet JH's cousins Mrs. Groskopff and Mrs. Knipping. Describes country. Visit to Pyrmont and Lackern. Visited aunt Caroline Herschel and Mrs. and Miss Beckedorff in Hanover. Convinced Madame Witte to build third moon model that JH will give to F. L. Chantrey. News of son William Herschel. Composes two hymns. Departure from Hamburg delayed; may miss H. W. M. Olbers in Bremen.

Reports on persons and meetings at B.A.A.S. Elected officers for 1839 today. Charles Babbage gave up his office of trustee in disgust. JH dislikes speaking in public.

JH is captivated by science of photography. Has blundered onto 'Calotype leaving out [W. H. F.] Talbot's principal ingredient!!' [Note added by daughter Isabella Herschel:] Papa is in hurry. Greetings to family.

Went to meet Lord John Russell. JH considers [Mastership of Mint] settled, but do not speak openly of it yet. Carried out MBH's errands in London. Encloses note for daughter Louisa from Miss A. Bryant.

Cannot determine if mastership of Royal Mint will be vacant. R. L. Sheil is in Dublin. Rumors about Sheil's new appointment. Will attend Cambridge University Commission meeting today. [G. G.] Gordon congratulated JH on Mint position. JH's host, Eneas Mackintosh, suggests that JH's son John enter Addiscombe College at age 16, but JH prefers 17. Searching for house in London. P.S.: Mr. Stroud had not heard of Mrs. Jeffrey's notice. Tell JH what to wear for 'Royal presence.'

JH still in suspense about Mastership of Mint. Wants to find house for MBH in London. Describes work that faces University Committee.

Learned from H. D. Harness today that entire Mint is undergoing reorganization. JH expects to devote considerable time to this transition. Admires Harness's capability. Read report yesterday by commission to reform Mint. Will see Lord John Russell tomorrow about Mastership of Mint.

Chancellor of Exchequer [Charles Wood] confirmed JH's appointment as Master of Mint today. R. L. Sheil will resign on 1 Dec. JH will be installed on 3 Dec. as first non-political appointee.

Richard Jones is wrong in attacking Mr. Tucker. JH must inform W. H. Sykes that [JH's son] William is going to Madras and not to Bombay. Believes that [W. H. C. Plowden] will change William's assignment. Letter from Lord John Russell has increased JH's work load. John Barlow suggests that MBH, not JH, should become member of Royal Institution. Encloses draft of letter to E. Mackintosh.

Son William is adapting to life and study in London. Dined with R. H. Inglis today and met African explorer J. H. Krapf, who discovered source of Nile. MBH will soon be member of Royal Institution. Please send copy of letter from F. M. Eardley-Wilmot to JH regarding admission to R.S.L. JH blundered in signing it. JH's note to W. H. C. Plowden was not worded correctly. Richard Jones is arranging lodging for JH's son William at Haileybury College.