Regarding [William?] French and G. B. Airy. Will breakfast with JH on Sunday. Going to Cambridge on Monday and would like his company.

Has received copies of reprints from Lyell. Points out errors in a printed paper of his. Has been unwell and very busy of late. Would like to add DB's name to the Optical Glass Committee.

Richard Copeland has received such instruments as the Board thought he should have. A mountain barometer seems extravagant for his duties. If JH thinks a camera lucida is necessary, one can be supplied.

Ask Charles Babbage to send tables of logarithms to TY, who will compare them to [Brook] Taylor's. Bets that five errors will be found. Did JH order mountain barometer from [J. F.] Newman? Will inquire about [W. E.] Parry's instruments. Admiralty, not us, should order sextants.

Questions JH's conclusion that Board of Longitude has power to interfere in Admiralty operations. Disagrees that Nautical Almanac errors are serious. Compares them to tables of Charles Hutton, F. X. von Zach, and H. C. Schumacher. When will TY receive Charles Babbage's table?

Encloses note from Sir John Barrow refusing scientific instruments and objecting to using barometers. Supplying cameras and sextants to Admiralty's marine survey is not interference by Board of Longitude. Sent JH's expenses to Edward Sabine; has no further word on subject. Encloses Mr. Stewart's note about damages at Wrotham.

[Board of Longitude] must answer to Parliament, not to public opinion. Do not contest the system. Order pocket sextants; they and barometer will be sent to Captain [Richard] Copeland. Knows how JH feels about expenses sent to Edward Sabine, but please write receipt and send it to TY within week. Will write directly to Charles Babbage for tables.

Thomas Young approved supplying [Richard] Copeland with two sextants and one mountain barometer.

Has been delayed in France, but is sending large collection of double star observations for JH's comments and analysis. Has dismantled JS's observatory in Passy as part of return of JS to England. Comments on P. S. Laplace.

R.S.L. Council will meet 17 Nov. to discuss awarding its Copley medal; hence JS's paper, to be presented to R.S.L. later that day, cannot be considered for the award. Other matters have prevented JH from preparing annotations of JS's latest paper on double stars.

'Messrs. [Apsley] Pellatt and Green' will fill the pots on Monday. JH will attend. Asks correspondent to attend also. Has sent for Michael Faraday's approval a formula for making [the glass].

Agrees with JH regarding the glass. Suggests that a meeting would facilitate results. Suggests that the glass maker should make several pots for the experiments.

Is waiting to recover his health before he leaves for Scotland.

Thanks for third volume of "English Botany" although so engrossed with Indian plants unsure when he will focus on British plants again. Will send a copy of his commentary on the eighth part of the "Hortus Malabaricus", is making progress with copying the ninth part and writing the tenth, envisages the whole being completed in another year. Sends a copy of his "Indian Genealogies" for Smith's friend. Explains why he has used Latin instead of English botanical terms in his commentary. Outraged by the "monstrous innovations and unnecessary slang" lately introduced into the Linnaean language and the improper manner in which new names are being manufactured. Will soon see [William James] Hooker in Glasgow.

Encloses specimen of a plant used as a febrifuge when taken with peppercorns and water; observations, the people call it "Nye". Their garden not thriving on account of bad soil and lack of a well; a few of the seeds Wallich sent have germinated, listed; hopes for more success next year when the well is completed. Discusses plants to grow.

[Spec 10 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Attended funeral of Thomas [Forster, his brother]. [James] Bicheno suffering from temporary ailment which prevented his seeing Smith at Hale End. Sending mourning rings.

Thankful for attentions the Smiths paid her husband [Thomas Furly Forster] before his death. Her living arrangements uncertain; will be visiting her children.

Thanks for third volume of Smith's "English Flora". Has not quite shaken the giddiness he experienced over the summer. Could not see Smith whilst they were both in London as feared aggravating his gout. Sympathises with Smith on death of [Thomas Furly] Forster.