No news yet about the request to Robert Peel for money for magnetic observations.

States the case for the accuracy of the observations and reports of the discoveries of the sixth and seventh satellites of Saturn made by JH's father, William. [This letter seems to be tied to JH's 1844-7-22 in terms of date of writing.]

Encloses star observations. Comments on his instrumental system. Cannot find the rule for position when two stars are of equal magnitude. Neptune with the convicts is anchored in Simon's Bay, awaiting the answer from H. G. Grey (3rd Earl Grey).

How does one jog the memory of the First Lord of the Treasury [see GA's 1845-10-3]?

Is gratified that JM is taking an interest in double stars. Comments on some of the observations and time of their orbits.

Is very critical of a series of three foreign memoirs that JH believes certainly should not be published. Concludes with a strange postscript on catalepsy.

Will do all in his power to ensure that MM receives copies of the publications relating to the Fixed Observatories. Does not think MM could have seen a copy of JH's paper on photographic action when he wrote the notice in Annales de chimie. Comments on this paper and more recent experiments in this field.

Giving reasons why he would not like his name put forward as a magistrate.

Do as JM suggests. Further comments on JH's dispute with the theories of Auguste Comte.

Tells GA about the internal counterpoise system in use in some German telescope mountings, and includes a diagram; JH knows nothing about chilling speculum metal [see GA's 1849-3-7].

S. J. A. Compton [Lord Northampton] has addressed a private letter to Robert Peel [see GA's 1845-10-9].

Is anxious about his aunt Caroline Herschel and would like news of her health.

AS JH understands the matter [see GG's 1845-12-23], GG is the only knowledgeable member of the committee, and so it will be up to GG to present information and propose some means of moving ahead. JH makes some critical remarks about the nature of B.A.A.S. committees.

Regrets to hear of AM's sad losses. Would like him to withdraw quarterly amounts and give them to Caroline Herschel.

Thanks for sending his book on the Correspondence of James Watt. Hopes to give it the attention it deserves, but meanwhile comments on the water controversy of Henry Cavendish, Joseph Priestley, and James Watt.

Can raise no objections to being president of the B.A.A.S. for 1845, but will be unable to be in York this year.

Robert Peel has suggested that the Admiralty has money available to pay for improvements in scientific instruments of value to navigation.

Returns, with many thanks, the report of George Everest. Gives adverse comment on the alterations that Everest has made to some of the instruments.

WM is not the first person to write to JH on the application of photography to astronomy. Comments on the question and gives some of his own views on the subject.

Hears with pleasure of the peace reigning at the Cape between the Caffres. The Boers are a different proposition and JH agrees with GN's policy. J. R. Innes called in on his way to Scotland. Weather in England is gloomy, like the political events.