Congratulations on the birth of JH's son Alexander. Has a man preparing the old Ramsden Equatorial as the calculations from the repeating circle are so troublesome. Observations of the comet this morning were excellent.

Sends C. P. Smyth with the observing lists of JH's zero stars. Comments on these lists. Would like to see the Cedar Mountains, but cannot spare the time at present. Wished to visit Riebeck's Castle to verify one of N. L. Lacaille's remarks. Did not notice any air bubbles in JH's barometer. The Observatory barometer is similar to the one of Sir John Franklin. Goes to the Block House tomorrow to commence the triangulation.

Mural and transit are at JH's command. Will have pleasure in joining him on Saturday. Has a good supply of balls and will procure some goose shot.

Sends the original of the barometer observations as he cannot spare the time to copy them. Had hoped to have the Brisbane stars ready on Monday. Comet was invisible last night.

Is proceeding at a respectable speed with the Brisbane list. Has received [Andrew?] Smith's box safely. Saw Dr. Smith last night; he is more reconciled. Many thanks for the trees; the ground is suitable to receive them.

Has returned the drawings to [Andrew?] Smith not having received carte blanche to look at them. Bent one of the thick wires of the micrometer when taking out the plate, so has inserted another. The micrometer will be ready tomorrow. Clean Bermuda webs and two silver wires of 6" diameter.

Encloses the list in JH's own handwriting. Has placed two silver wires in the eye piece of the micrometer. Will JH secure him some cobweb for placing in the micrometer.

Thinks Monday 2 Jan. a suitable day for taking down the Circle. Has engaged J. K. Gibbs the carpenter for the coming quarter. No official notice has been taken of his Colonial Measure of Reference.

From a newspaper received today sees that John Pond is dead and buried. Affair of James South and Edward Troughton and William Simms is as before. Sends the observations of the 21st; rain was not good for astronomical observations. Comments on these readings.

Has succeeded in fixing an 18 pounder gun firmly in the ground to mark the western termination of the base-line query on how to measure the meridian of a mountain at sea level. Has requested permission from the Governor to inspect the military orders for 1751-2.

JH is frustrated with his inaccurate barometric readings.

Found comet in Scorpio this morning. Gives map and description. Something wrong with reflector. 'Paarl expenses.' Describes puff adder captured by Dr. Guerd. Glad that Stone is doing well.

Problems observing Halley's Comet. Sends first batch of TM's reduction of Thomas Brisbane's stars. Does JH approve J. C. Adamson's and J. R. Innes's offer to help calculate and tabulate Expedition data? Francis Baily's proposal to rename constellations. Renegotiating price for repairs on equatorial. Describes dream resulting from reading Baily's life of John Flamsteed.

Observation of Halley's Comet. Sends servant to pick up information on star 'Constants.'

Letters from W. H. Smyth. Notes on Halley's Comet and possible planet sighting.

Observations of 'Comet stars.' Sends original 'Transit book.' Take care of it.

Sends annotations to JH's 'sweeping sheet.' Complains of errors in ring micrometer.

Sorry for surprise in church yesterday. Last minute request for JH and wife [to be godparents] was unplanned. Notes on 'Parallax & refraction.' Will soon observe all stars in [F. W.] 'Bessel's zone.'