Members of R.S.L. committee to study Kew observatory. Copies of correspondence between ES and W. R. Birt. If Birt is retained, expenses of Kew observatory will exceed money granted by B.A.A.S. Before applying for government assistance, JH and G. B. Airy must agree on plan.

JH may meet with Kew committee in London on 16 June. William Mann will probably replace late T. G. Taylor in Madras. Suggests that W. R. Birt replace Mann at Cape of Good Hope. Position at Kew would not be suitable to Birt.

William Mann's application to replace late T. G. Taylor [at Madras observatory] has been approved by H.E.I.C. B.A.A.S. cannot offer good position at Kew to W. R. Birt. Goals of B.A.A.S. committee to report on Kew observatory. Please return [T. R.] Robinson's account of William Parson's telescope.

Encloses letter to ES from Mr. Hutton.

Meeting of B.A.A.S. committee with JH. JH's report was included with extracts from Francis Ronalds's report.

Deliberations on continuance of Kew Observatory, and ES's willingness to step aside for another member. Successes and failures of B.A.A.S. objectives at Kew and prospective goals for future. Increasing government involvement in science.

Encloses note to be directed to JH, pointing out discrepancies in JH's article on sound in first edition of Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.

Discusses time intervals for [magnetic] observation. Sorry a change was ever contemplated. Asks that his opinion be sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd and that ES make the final decision on how to proceed.

Asks JH to consult [C. F.] Gauss concerning magnetical instructions. [Charles] Wilkes made mistake in distinguishing Balleny's[?] Land from 'American discoveries.' This has caused dispute.

Encloses [G. B.] Airy's letter, which he thinks should accompany [Humphrey] Lloyd's reply regarding magnetism. Thinks all Physical Committee members must be made aware of new developments.

Discusses term and extra magnetic observations with regard to [Humphrey] Lloyd's letter. Would prefer to keep them separate, but feels no harm will come from keeping them together.

Sends letter of [Johann] Lamont, whose suggestions have been adopted by the Physical Committee. Discusses size of instruments, particularly needles.

Discusses plans for printing of 4 maps of terrestrial isotherms prepared by [H. W.] Dove along with Dove's commentary.

Sent JH's letter concerning actinometers to all observatories. [Johann] Lamont must be informed of recent work. ES comparing fluctuations of direction and force at Toronto and Van Diemen's Land. Mentions [G. B.] Airy and air currents.

Received a stray dispatch, dated at sea, from [James] Ross. Assumes Ross is on his way home.

Will undertake magnetic report except parts for which research is not yet completed. Needs [Johann] Lamont's recommendation regarding experiments. Sends [James] Ross's observations for perusal.

Discusses state of science in France. Magnetic instruments were ordered for Algiers, but ES is uncertain whether they left Paris. Will send portion of magnetic report and letter from [A. D.] Bache among other things.

Sends actinometer returns for remarks and suggestions. Mentions public dinner for scientific community.

Sends actinometric returns and drawing of comet from Hobarton Magnetic Observatory. [John] Lefroy's expedition in U.S. and Canada is going well. Received the observations from Algiers.

Encloses letter from Dr. [John] Locke. Wants to loan him a magnetometer to set up a station at Cincinnati. Received [John] Caldecott's volume of JH's observations. Thinks publishing costs will be high.