Details of how coins are tested and stamped for weight. Procedures are not regulated, and variances are common. Encloses Mr. Miller's letter on decimal coinage. [JH annotation: 'Substance sent to Airy March 21 / 53 but altogether diff in form and wording.']

Thanks GA for a letter of introduction to friends in Rome [used by JH's daughter Margaret Louisa and her new husband, Reginald Dyke Marshall]; JH is willing to serve on a committee with GA and others if he does not have to go to London for meetings.

Suggests GA alter some phraseology and tone in his response [see GA's 1858-5-4] to Edward Sabine's report on magnetic observatories.

Agenda items for 2 Mar. 1853 meeting of Commission for Restoration of Standards of Lengths and Weights.

Intends to set up a meeting with appropriate members of the B.A.A.S., in order to prepare presentation about magnetic observatories for the B.A.A.S. meetings in Leeds.

Asks GA to help in determining cost of one observation station in Peking [see Richard Owen's 1858-12-18].

Given the Treasury stance [see Richard Owen's 1858-12-18], GA sees little point in setting up one station [see JH's 1858-12-18].

Writes to inquire as to the whereabouts of the Richard Sheepshanks's papers [see GA's 1851-11-25].

Would like the brief version of Richard Sheepshanks's paper to send to William Parsons.

A notice of meeting of the Standards Committee.

Is asking JH to bring the long version of Richard Sheepshanks's paper to the next meeting of the Standards Committee [see JH's 1852-2-11].

Agrees with JH's idea of decimalizing the pound weight, but the stone should not then be used [see JH's 1852-3-5].

The standardization of weights and measures is moving ahead; the question of storage of standards must be addressed.

Has heard that one of JH's daughters [Amelia] has been hurt by burning; expresses concern.

Expresses unease about P. S. Laplace's formulation of the barometric determination of height; in a postscript comments that Michael Faraday's lecture on conservation of force is a 'strange production.'

Proposes rules of procedure for use of secondary standards [see GA's 1853-2-7].

Raises a problem for the Standards Commission to consider, namely, that the Bank of England finds it difficult to deal with the decimalization of troy ounces [in the bullion trade] [see JH's 1853-2-9].

Believes that the increasing use of decimal weights should mean that no further evidence need be taken by the Standards Commission [see JH's 1853-2-14].

A notice of meeting of the Standards Commission.

Does not believe that the technical weights of the Bank of England should be given the same legal status as primary, and official, weights, measures, and coinage [see GA's 1853-2-11].