Sends an agreement for his signature and forwarding to Patterson & Bloxham.

Hears that James Challis [Plumian Professor of Astronomy, Cambridge] is on the point of death. Believes he has a good chance to succeed him; sends a list of the electors.

Writes of Challis’ health

and of other matters of family interest.

Thinks William Thomson will support him [for Plumian Professorship at Cambridge].

Asks whether he is to give a gratuity of "cinquanta lire sterling" to the cook at 6 Queen Anne St.

Writes of his work and a paper accepted for publication in the Philosophical Transactions [? "Stresses caused in the interior of the earth", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 173 (1883): 187–230].

Gives news of friends.

Has sent Kovalevsky his major paper on the moon’s motion, with references to others.

Encloses letter from R. S. Ball [missing], who has placed reliance on Samuel Haughton’s wild speculations.

Has heard that J. Challis’s health is worse.

Send CD a present of a fur coat.