Will review all Gamma Virginis observations before revising orbit. Catalogue of major nebulae complete; will work on minor nebulae next.

Will give lecture on moon in which he will discuss its composition, the craters Kepler and Gassendi, plus generalities.

Describes voyage to Cape as being uneventful. 20-ft. reflector operating since late February; has already examined much of the southern sky. Believes the Milky Way is not equidistant from the earth at all points; and that the earth is between Canopus and Alpha Centauri. Amazed at clusters such as Omega Centauri. Describes richness of Magellanic Clouds. Details progress in erecting instruments. Sends observations of Alpha Crucis, which he believes is a double star.

Makes suggestion on freeing the Leviathan from its trapped position.

Believes that if R.S.L. gives medals that year, J. R. Hind should receive one. John Lubbock is another possible candidate for his work on perturbation theory.

Suggests WS take the chair at the next R.S.L. meeting. Discusses a project of John Lubbock's. Fears Caroline Herschel will not survive the year.

Cannot attend R.A.S. meeting to explain Mme. Witte's lunar model; will send notes of explanation. Busy with the publication of Cape Results. Will write paper on improved method of calculating double star orbits. Discusses relationships of periods of Saturnian satellites.

C. P. Smyth appointment as assistant to Thomas Maclear pleases JH. Suggests method of determining right ascension of double stars with collimating telescope. Sends brochure proposing worldwide meteorological observations.

Offers condolences to Ann Smyth. WS's calculation of Gamma Virginis orbit surprises JH. Concerned about accurate methods of calculation. Remarks on excavation of Chelsea mammoth.

Compliments WS on his Cycle of Celestial Objects. Inquires who instigated the move for reform of the Nautical Almanac.

Has written recommendation supporting C. P. Smyth for position of Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Suggests that C. P. Smyth, after returning to Britain, seek a teacher to help overcome his stutter. Encloses letter from P. H. L. Boguslawski for WS to present to R.A.S.

Gives suggestions for Edinburgh Board of Visitors. Gives no specific names, but says it should include theoretical and practical astronomers, geographers, and meteorologists.

Discusses Cold Harbor. Suggests the Duke of Bedford [F. C. H. Russell] could help secure a pension for Thomas Maclear.

Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.

C. P. Smyth arrived at Cape on 10 October; Thomas Maclear seems pleased with his work. Asks WS to continue observing Gamma Virginis; JH has observed it only as a single star in recent attempts. Thanks WS for distributing meteorological brochures. George Eden visits and will send meteorological observations from India.

Sends P. H. L. Boguslawski's address. Asks WS to send J. H. Mädler's chart to P[eter] Stewart.

Approves of James Nasmyth's application to join R.S.L. Describes good points of Nasmyth's telescope. Supposes that if he had drawing talent, he would sketch the members of the R.S.L.

Pleased that WS included François Arago's lectures in his compilation. Believes the Italian edition could have been better edited. Remarks on the Leviathan problem.

Sends observations of Gamma Virginis, which differ from those of WS and James South. Observed transit of Mercury. Has abandoned plans of going to Cape of Good Hope this year. Plans to visit Caroline Herschel in Hanover.

Discusses Neptune discovery controversy; believes both scientists should receive medals.