Thanks for paper on physical constitution of sun and stars. Discusses possibility of vast atmosphere for sun.

Reports on and recommends publication of paper [R.S.P.T., 159, 1-] by Warren de La Rue, Balfour Stewart, and Benjamin Loewy containing heliographic positions and areas of sunspots observed in 1862 and 1863.

Replies regretfully that other urgent financial demands prevent JH from helping to build another church in AS's parish. Already is helping with one such church.

Thanks for paper on action of solar and electric light on vapors, which should give JT further insight into blue color of sky and polarization of skylight. Comments on the latter. JH's son [Alexander] is working hard at Glasgow.

Suggests reducing the number of Greenwich astronomical observations printed, but not reducing the magnetic and meteorological observations.

Thinks JT's work on polarization will lead to remarkable discovery. Discusses production of rainbow, parallels to Isaac Newton's explanation of black spot on a soap bubble, and problems in JT's undulatory theory explanation of reflection. In JT's experiments, what are nebulous particles produced by light in gas or vapor?

Thanks for paper verifying JH's prediction that explanation of blue sky color carries with it that of polarization of skylight. Involves ultimate link between chemical and analytical dynamics. Notes that 'neutral points' in sky polarization have yet to be explained; offers tentative explanation based on clues in JT's work.

Not well enough to attend Visitation Day at the Royal Observatory; fears JH will not likely attend any future meetings and should perhaps withdraw from the Board of Visitors.

Solar spectrum observations of John Herschel (son of JH) may have produced detection of the photosphere and corona at a time other than a total solar eclipse.

Points out that [Joel?] Spiller's article, 'Hyposulphite of Ammonia for fixing,' is 'copied verbatim' from a work of JH's.

Comments on WT's paper on geological time. Unsatisfied with the efficiency of tidal friction in retarding the rotation of the earth. Considers effect of external attraction on a rotating body to relate to momentum.

Explains HT's problem with the defective telescope glass. Advises caution about entering optical glass manufacturing. Urges HT to take back his will from JH's possession and entrust it to the care of a legal advisor.

Thanks for gift sent to JH's daughter Amelia; comments on William Petrie's number mysticism with the Great Pyramid.

Invitation to attend the wedding of JH's daughter Amelia.

Comments on the death of a number of friends, his own poor health, and how he spent the winter working through his double-star observations.

Comments on several aspects of poetry, including EC's; JH has been quite ill; talks about walking on water with a water velocipede.

Given up idea of translating Dante; comments on meteor shower report; suggests EC write an ode on poverty.

Thanks for verses on the transit of Mercury; comments on observation of an auroral arch and eclipse observations of the solar corona.

Comments on observations of meteors, comets, and the transit of Mercury.

Comments on a number of mathematical matters, on a book on positivism, and increased sunspot activity.