Provides JH with the measurements from a series of observations of Gamma Virginis.

Provides JH with information and advice about large lenses, which JH is considering for a Cape of Good Hope Observatory equatorial telescope.

Describes some available glass discs, which might do for making lenses for a large refracting telescope [see GA's 1843-8-30].

A notice of meeting of the Standards Committee, together with an indication of business to be conducted at that meeting.

Writing memoir of James Grahame. Asks JH to send list of all Grahame's publications, copies of his work, and any available reviews.

Thanks JH for poem [F. Schiller's 'The Walk']. Sends greetings to Lady Herschel.

[J. C.] Ross has returned safely. Ross has a box for JH.

Thanks JH for sending the verses he requested. His sister wishes she were still a neighbor of the Herschels.

Cannot at present accept Lady Herschel's invitation to Collingwood. Is getting married.

Sends excerpt of letter from Mr. Weekes [?] stating an hypothesis concerning electricity and clouds. Asks JH to test it. Sends own ideas about electricity as well.

Edited the last volumes of the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. Needs JH to summarize main points of his treatises on light and sound for the general preface.

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 letter from [P. H. L. ] Boguslawski for JH's magnetic report. [John] Lefroy has found line of greatest intensity further south in Canada than ES expected.

Thanks JH for earlier letter. Discusses JH's work on chemical action of light, with which he is familiar. Sends some papers for JH's comments.

Asks JH to tell her where to find his newly published works on the action of light on chemical substances. Rome is not intellectually stimulating. Describes summer in Venice.