Supports G. P. Bond of Harvard College for foreign membership of R.S.L.; proposes H. E. Sainte-Claire Deville for the Rumford Medal, for his development of a high temperature laboratory furnace applied to metallurgy and the 'disseverance' of the hydrogen and oxygen of water.

Sends GA [see GA's 1863-11-21] JH's copy of the Melbourne telescope correspondence and reports; needs information from GA and Edwin Dunkin about the sun's motion, although JH questions some of Dunkin's work.

Thanks GA for the papers sent; asks GA to review enclosed note on solar motion [see JH's 1863-11-22].

Thanks WC for a copy of a paper published by WC in the P.M.

Introduces JH's son Alexander to PS, and hopes PS will support Alexander, who is seeking to become Assistant Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society.

Responds with thanks to GT, a fellow trustee of the British Museum, who has written to welcome JH and congratulate him on his election. JH is concerned about having enough time to fulfill his obligations.

Writes to FM to show several ways in which a series of prisms may be used in a spectroscope to have the light exiting in the same line as it entered the spectroscope. [Appends 4 pages of diagrams.]

Comments on the ease of calculation in geodesy in JH's version of the English system of units, and asks GA for some clarifications as JH prepares the seventh edition of his Outlines Astr.

Agrees that the pendulum should be observed at major Indian stations because Russians did not avail themselves of offered vacuum apparatus and pendulums.

Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.

Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.

Accepts invitation to dine with ES. Working on sixth edition of Outlines Astr. Has sent argument against converting to metric system to Leeds.

Is sending manuscript with comments. Congratulates her 'activity of mind.' Critiqued her paper according to the effect it will have when published. Working on catalogue of nebulae.

Describes in vivid detail the account of an 'extraordinary meteor' in October 1854. Given by a person from Hurworth.

Tells AQ that last letter on meteors was written not by JH but by A. S. Herschel. JH attributes phenomena to cosmic origins. Gives further details.

Has talked to the lady who wrote account of the meteor. Finds her reliable. Has discovered other sightings of it. Sends report in French for printing in AQ's notices on meteors.

Three maps of meteors observed in 1863 by JH[?] and Alexander Herschel

Likes JT's explanation of sky's blue color. Has difficulty with JT's explanation of polarization of skylight. Comments on absorptive powers of vapor and liquid.

Gives permission to reprint letters to Athenaeum on standard of length, in light of recent bill to metricize. Requests as many copies as possible.

Discusses JT's 'Battle of the Standards,' especially JH's letters against adoption of metric system and another lecture JH encloses. Comments on error in JT's frontispiece on the great pyramid.