Of family news, health, and an eclipse of the moon [letter completed 1834-1-8].

Of dreams and illness.

Of the return to France and the family health.

Is glad Mrs. Hall has written to Lady Herschel. Would like a private yacht so that he could travel round the world making scientific observations. Is pleased JH had a good voyage to the Cape and hopes things are progressing.

Forwarding two letters via Francis Beaufort. Has no political or scientific news as they are at present residing in a remote Austrian castle which they find very refreshing after the noise of Vienna. Longs to hear of JH's labors with the constellations.

Is happy to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape and comfortably housed. Comments on two stars Alpha1 and Alpha2 Centauri.

Rejoices to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape, and his interest in Cape educational matters. Hears he has already paid attention to the native race. Sends letter by Dr. J. D. Lang of New South Wales.

Sends letter by Jonathan Stander, who is to work in the educational field at the Cape. Is pleased JH serves on the management committee of the Infants schools. Wishes success to the expedition to explore the interior of S. Africa. Thanks for his paper on nebulae. Enjoyed the B.A.A.S. meeting at Edinburgh. Sends one of his own pamphlets on African colonization. Thomas Bell wishes to be remembered to him.

Delayed acknowledging JH's letter until the return of [James?] Hudson from Derbyshire as he knew he would be interested in the atmosphere and temperature of the ocean. Comments on this and quotes a review of Captain Foster's voyages in the Athenaeum.

All his friends are pleased to hear of his safe arrival at the Cape. Sends a cutting from the Athenaeum, which announces the fact. Is anxious to know if he obtained any observations with his barometer.

Sends some packages and his Transactions. Sent through [Peter?] Stewart the first volume of Col. Mark Beaufoy's Observations. Sends copies of the Athenaeum, which contains details of the Edinburgh meeting. Will be placed on the list to receive free copies of the Athenaeum.

Hopes he received his Essay on the Primitive Standard. Arrived at Simon's Town on Tuesday and hopes to call on JH before he departs.

Heat has driven Mrs. Maclear to leave a card with Lady D'Urban. Sends the state of the barometer and thermometer for the last three days. Stars were in capital form for the telescope last night. Has retained the list of furniture of Major Ross.

Points out errors in his own chronometer. Gives thermometer and barometer readings. The work of the bricklayers is very slow. Is obliged for the drawing of the nebula.

The chronometer can remain at the Grove for the time being; it seems to preserve a more uniform rate than the transit clock.

Invites Herschels and Dr. Duncan Stewart to dine with TM. Would like to compare their barometers. Would like also to show JH his own investigation on the mural circle. Has procured a chameleon.

Congratulations on his success. With JH's information he soon detected the fellow in the mural circle. Gives readings. As the sky is clear he will have another night at the mural circle.

Giving details of his facial paralysis.

Has decided to put the dinner party off until Monday due to the wet weather. Is working hard at the reductions. Is indebted to the Herschels for the use of their carriage.

Has received dispatches from Bedford at last; hopes that JH has been equally fortunate. Encloses a letter from Mrs. Smyth, which gives amusing details of the anniversary of the R.A.S. Comments at length on the character of Sir James South.