Has arrived from Paris and will continue to Hamburg. Regrets not being able to revisit Collingwood. Requests JH's work concerning the southern skies.

Thanks JH for introducing him to Robert Kane. Hears that JH will publish Cape results. Impatient to see them. Mentions JH's philosophical work.

Has received package in Turkey from JH. Sends thanks to JH through Sir Robert Brown. Values highly the gift of fragments from a meteor fallen near Cold-Bokkovold on 13 October 1838.

Is willing to assist JH, but feels that the Admiralty must instruct GA to do so [see JH's 1847-12-23].

In flowery prose thanks JH for 'feeling with me in what I have felt deeply myself,' perhaps referring to one of JH's poems. Is delighted to have learned through W. R. Hamilton that JH is a poet.

Communicates with others JH's choice of name for new planet [Iris]. Sends position of Hawkhurst Church tower obtained from map department. Describes rainy-day eclipse and reactions to it.

Concerned about W. S. Stratford, who has not responded to letters; GA has a problem with the German notation of star positions used by Thomas Henderson.

Announces next meeting of Philosophical Club.

Sympathizes with JH's feelings of regret over actinometer readings. Has procured a new thermometer and carried out experiments toward correction of actinometers.

Presents 'tables for facilitating the approximate prediction of occultation and eclipses for any particular place,' so that seamen without specialized backgrounds in mathematics can observe and improve hydrography.

Comments, after delays due to busyness, on JH's queries on the calibration of actinometers and gives results of experiments.

Recounts discussion in R.A.S. council regarding how the Society's medal should be awarded in response to the discovery of Neptune. U. J. J. Leverrier led J. C. Adams in the voting, but did not receive enough votes.

Responds to JH's request [1847-6-28] that RS inquire about Samuel B. Lamb. Has visited [W. R.] Dawes and his telescope; thinks he will be productive. Lefevre [George Shaw-Lefevre?] has started for the university, adding 'what chance he has of success I can't guess.' On JH's contacts with Cambridge University.

People do not consider JH vain. If JH wants to give his [portrait of JH; see JH's 1847-7-1] to people, this would not be considered vanity on his part. Gives impressions of U. J. J. Leverrier after meeting him at the Royal Observatory.

Hopes JH will attend the November R.A.S. meeting to stress the importance of recording solar observations [drawings of sunspots]. On J. R. Hind's work. Says Hind is not strong enough for the work he gets through. Cannot find G. Schwinck's address; suggests contacting H. C. Schumacher.

Has received a letter from [W. C.] Bond stating that Maria Mitchell observed the comet on 1 Oct., several days before it was seen by [Francesco] DeVico (3 Oct.) and by W. R. Dawes (7 Oct.). Proposes calling it 'Miss M. Mitchell's comet' and asks if JH has any objections. Knows DeVico will 'growl.'

Maria Mitchell 'shall have her due honor,' despite [Francesco] DeVico. Discusses problems with the R.A.S. awarding medals and honors, the loss to the R.A.S. of Francis Baily, and the issue of proposing foreign associates. Proposes a list of such to JH. Objects to DeVico, but is the head of a publishing observatory and has found comets. Urges caution in appointing Americans. On publishing R.A.S.M.N.

John Lubbock entitled to bring his proposal before R.A.S., and to the best advice they can give, but the idea of explaining new views on physical astronomy strikes RS as 'objectionable' in principle. No one will understand his presentation. How to proceed with this. RS's work on the standard yard.

John Lubbock wishes only to explain his system, so there is no reason why the R.A.S. should not listen to him. Certain conditions must be met. Troubles with the R.A.S.M.N.

Apologizes to JH for worrying him about the printing of J. J. L. Lalande's Catalogue of Those Stars in the Histoire céleste française....