[Summary in JH's hand:] Enquiry about Henry John Hollier's request for advance on mortgage. Enclosed form to be signed by JH [as co-trustee] or chief accountant of Bank of England. [JH note: signed form and returned it to Anderson and Shonbridge. Forwarded letter to Few & Co.]

Discusses in detail the then currently debated issue of a 'mintcharge or seigniorage' on gold coinage. Also discusses the idea of an international coinage.

Has read the syllabus of GA's lectures on magnetism; it reminds JH of his attempt to solve the problem of 'Mahomet's coffin', which JH still believes would work.

Is considering a new edition of Outlines Astr.[?] and wants to provide the latest determinations of the periods of rotation of the planets.

Has received GA's paper on spectral lines and is amazed that it is possible to see a spectrum in the light from faint nebulae.

'Great Comet of 1843' presents difficulties for JT's explanation of comets' tails [continuation of JH's 1869-5-28].

Notices in letter of last May JH's postscript about the rate of color blindness occurring to overworked or ill artists, and doubts it becomes di-chromic, but merely a 'weakness' of vision.

JH having declined offer from Clarendon Press to write a treatise on inductive logic, [Thomas] Fowler of Oxford, who had earlier written a book on deductive logic, drafted an inductive logic, relying heavily of JH's Prelim. Discourse and Familiar Lectures. Asks JH to make suggestions on the manuscript.

Describes celebration of [Alexander von] Humboldt's centennial in Boston. Sends photograph of total eclipse of sun, from Henry Morton, and various other articles. Praises science.

Thanks EQ for report of [Alexander von] Humboldt's centenary and the photographs from Henry Morton [see EQ's 1869-9-26]. Discusses neglect of James Grahame's work in England.

Pleased JH wants to defend [James] Grahame's work. Describes [Henry] Morton's work and sends additional publications. Intrigued by JH's prediction that a great discovery concerning the sun will be made soon.

Sends 'first fruits' of Melbourne telescope in form of a letter from [A.] LeSueur and [R. L. J.] Ellery. Includes discussion of nebulae.

Thanks HR for sending HR's book on spectrum analysis [Spectrum Analysis, 1869]. Praises that publication.

Desires advice on construction of glass prisms for Newtonian reflecting telescopes. Also asks how to test the parabolic figure of a glass speculum before silvering.

Wilberforce Clarke, the nephew of an old friend, has been appointed to a meteorological observatory. He needs a list of useful books and instruments for his job from JH.

Praises AS for commencing his fifty-second course of lectures at age 84. Laments his own frailty. Recommends an array of meteorological books . Lists 'useful' meteorological instruments. Mentions family matters.

Has been translating into Latin 'your Dean's "Kentish Fire."' Has good Latin versions of [Oliver Goldsmith's] 'Edwin and Angelina' by Lord Stratford de Recliffe and of [Thomas] Gray's 'Elegy' by 'Chief Justice [Henry Thomas?] Cockburn.' Sends his 'Genevieve.'

Is working on a compilation of the measures of double stars. If [Rudolf] Wolf's period of 11.11 years is correct, why should 1810-11, a minimum, mark the first observations of solar spots?

Has autographs that display the activity of the sun. Sends sonnets he has written. Asks JH to mention distribution of nebulae at R.A.S.

Sends [William Whewell's] 'Isle of Sirens' and an acknowledgement to it in 'skimble skamble Hexameters.' Is eager to receive solar photographs and will send others by Professor [George?] Morton.