Postpone paying bills until end of month. Questions MH's birthday festivities. Congratulates Hayley family on remarriage. Poor Mr. Paynder is gone. JH finished third volume of Adam Graeme at Mossgray [by Margaret Oliphant].

Organizational changes at Mint. Deputy master declared unnecessary. W. T. Brande was promoted to combined office of deputy master and comptroller. JH protested to C. E. Trevelyan yesterday about low pay of junior clerks.

[Richard] Jones's application was successful, but his health is failing. JH's weekend trip to Collingwood is cancelled by problems with W. T. Brande, 'the most immanagable of men.' Brande and C. E. Trevelyan are JH's biggest problem. JH is sure of Trevelyan's 'ill offices.'

Instruct all daughters to date letters to JH. Loss of dear friend [Miss Maria Tunno?] leaves JH with no desire but to come home and be with family. Send carriage to railway station on chance that JH can get away from work tonight.

Visit to Collingwood lifted JH's spirits. Finances for Mrs. Rennie. Received copy of [William?] Platt's latest work from Miss Lipscombe. Sends condolences to Miss E. Tunno. Hopes loss will set young gentlemen thinking about 'brainless ardours.' Returns books to Collingwood.

Details of how coins are tested and stamped for weight. Procedures are not regulated, and variances are common. Encloses Mr. Miller's letter on decimal coinage. [JH annotation: 'Substance sent to Airy March 21 / 53 but altogether diff in form and wording.']

JH's opinion on feasibility of establishing new astronomical and meteorological observatory at Nottingham. Compares this climate to other English sites.

C. E. Trevelyan reports that W. E. Gladstone agreed to 'subject of our conversation yesterday.' Does [?] still want to meet with JH at Treasury chambers today?

Cease coining florins and commence production of shillings and sixpence. [JH annotation: Saw Brande today and gave these instructions verbally.]

Encloses letter, with JH's approval, from E. W. Ward at Sydney branch mint requesting authority to appoint W. S. Jevons and F. B. Miller as assayers, H. A. Severn and John MacCutcheon as clerks, two foremen of mechanics, and one engineer in Coining department.

Forwards to Treasury commissioners JH's correspondence with managers and directors of Bank of Ireland and Provincial Bank of Ireland regarding introduction of new copper coin. Requests authorization to proceed with distribution.

Regarding future improvements at Mint that would involve Board of Works, JH prefers to postpone major renovations that JH suggested in Dec. 1852. Notes two minor repairs needed in Melting Room.

Send 68 boxes of copper coins next week to Bank of Ireland and to Provincial Bank of Ireland.

Accepts invitation to Lord Mayor's conversazione on 8 June.

Explains why JH considers HF's case to be different from that of F. R. Brande. Does not believe that HF's appeal to Treasury will be seriously considered.

Review enclosed letter from JH to Lord Aberdeen [G. Hamilton-Gordon]. Henry Finch seems willing to accept position in reorganized Mint.

Matters discussed in meeting with CT: hiring of Henry Finch on probation; denial of Robert Mushet's claim for raise, except through promotion (JH annotation: Now Mushet will expect promotion); [Chancellor of Exchequer] W. E. Gladstone's alternative to shortage of copper coins.

Suggests regulations regarding bullion. Resolution of [Treasury] commissioners was forwarded to Sir Charles Wood.

Deeply disappointed by Treasury's failure to pay an adequate salary to W. H. Barton for combined duties of deputy master and comptroller. C. E. Trevelyan granted only a junior and inexperienced clerk to assist JH. Feels 'sickened and disgusted' by Trevelyan's pettiness, which is crippling the effectiveness of the Mint staff.

Thanks JB for a description of a fairly unique meteor and urges public notice of it be given.