Asks R.S.L. Council to request Colonial Office to provide official recommendation to authorities in Malta for William Lassell, going there to observe.

Responds to a letter from JH, which GS has forwarded to Edward Sabine.

Claims to have demonstrated that light intensity increases as distance from light source increases. Applies this to inner planets, where sun should appear dimmer than on Earth. [JH annotation: 'Frivolous & Vexatious.']

Thanks SW for a copy of the reviews of JH's Meteorology and Physical Geography. Comments on related matters such as importing English birds into Australia, observations made by Alexander von Humboldt, and catching specimens behind a sailing ship.

About repayment of a loan made from JH.

Acknowledgement of fulfilling JH's requirements.

Due to poor health of both JH and his wife, Margaret, JH writes to decline an invitation to dinner.

Replies to JH's inquiries about Messier 80, noting that a bright star, since vanished, obliterated the cluster. Describes poor but improving instrumentation at the Madras Observatory. Asks about JH's son Alexander.

Thanks JH for a memoir on the projection of a sphere. Expresses the wish that map-making, so neglected, be taken up thoroughly.

Thanks for sending vol. 4 of BP's Infinitesimal Calculus and for earlier sending vols. 1 and 2. Praises parts of vol. 4. Will another volume be forthcoming?

Describes objections to proposed metallic thermometer. Describes another simpler design for a metallic thermometer. Will ask [William] Sykes to consider HR's design.

Sends Mathematical Monthly with JH's portrait and catalog of his writings. Smithsonian will send rain data JH wants. Discusses politics and hopes England will help break the cotton monopoly and thereby end slavery.

Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.

Like JH, Smyths have been suffering bronchial problems. Urges JH not to give up [see JH's 1861-1-29] plan of JH writing a review on terrestrial magnetisim.

Sends letter regarding meteorology from the Smithsonian to JH. Pleased with magnetic work of [A. D.] Bache at Girard College.

Certain the Colonial Secretary [Duke of Newcastle] would write to governor of Malta on behalf of [William] Lassell.

Encloses letter from [W. P.] Wilson of Melbourne and ES's response for JH's perusal. Discusses [Warren] de La Rue's work on solar photography.

Requests JH sign certificate for [W. F.] Hook. Asks JH to forward it to William Whewell for his signature.

Has signed certificate for [W. F.] Hook. [See ES 1861-12-5] Congratulates ES [on presidency of R.S.L.]. JH on B.A.A.S. balloon committee. Proposes design for metallic thermometer.

Pleased ES and [Balfour?] Stewart like plan for metallic thermometer. Suggests way to obviate effect of pendulous movement of the suspended weight.