Is grateful for JH's letter to the Admiralty recommending a transit circle for the Cape. Comments on a suitable room for it in the Observatory. Has just had a peep at Encke's comet. Still trouble with the Kaffirs. Will be pleased to see Willy [Herschel] when he passes that way.
The Australian ship carrying the gold for England has visited the Cape. Many of the Cape people have moved to Australia. Comments on the gold.
Has just heard that Caroline Herschel is to marry the Hon. Mr. Gordon. Sends her his best wishes. This week TM hopes to commence the alteration to the circle room.
The Cape Government is to employ a geologist to survey the mineral resources. Copper mines are all the rage at the moment and the value of shares is increasing rapidly. No further news of David Livingstone. Mounting of the transit circle is progressing.
Regrets to hear of the ill health of JH. Believes that a sea voyage to the Cape would work wonders. The transit circle is in full working order. Comments on some of the work connected with it. Has heard that an accident had occurred to William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) 6-foot speculum. No news of David Livingstone.
Sends some photographs with comments. Pleased to hear JH is in much better health. Received a circular from U. J. J. Leverrier requesting meteorological information. Sends meteorological observations made at the Observatory during the last fourteen years.
Relates his experiences while visiting the Paris Observatory with G. B. Airy. Later travelled to Brussels to meet L. A. J. Quetelet. Is now preparing for a visit to Ireland and Mrs. Maclear will go to Bedfordshire. The meteorological observations [of the Cape] are to be printed in England under the direction of Robert FitzRoy.
Relates experiences while on a 10 day visit to Ireland. Now waiting for a train to Aberdeen. Professor [Philip?] Kelland injured in rail accident at Hitchin. Comments on the carelessness of railway workers. Agitation again at the Cape over the recall of Sir George Grey. Jack [TM's son?] has received orders for service, perhaps China.
Grateful for JH's congratulations. News of the education of his own sons. Pleased to hear of Warren de La Rue's success with photographing the pink projections during the total darkness. Recent astronomical observations. News of the Cape Electric Telegraph. Mr. Wollaston (a nephew of W. H. Wollaston) is about to make a survey for the telegraph wire. Gives details of the electric clock in connection with the transit circle.
Is grateful for JH's expression of sympathy over the death of his wife. One of his daughters has left on a ship for England. Sends a work by S. Salomon describing the visit of Prince Alfred to the Cape.
Enclosed is from Mr. Moffat, son of the missionary. Thanks for the essay on Meteorology. The Cape Meteorological Observations for 1841-7 were printed under the direction of Edward Sabine. The mss. for the later series are in possession of Robert FitzRoy, who is trying to find the means to print them. Serious gales at the Cape. Vessel wrecked on Sunday night attempting to enter Table Bay.
Grateful for the efforts of JH and his fellow astronomers in England for the continuation of TM's pension. Busy unpacking valuable library of Sir George Grey presented to the Cape. Details of his recent observations of stars. Weather has been bad. Surface of the object glass of transit circle is badly corroded. Sailor son is well again.
Glad to hear of the recovery of JH's daughters. Encloses a copy of a letter of thanks written to H. J. Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston). Error in the sun's distance is peculiar. Has been elected corresponding member of the French Academy. Family has been attacked by the influenza.
The [Samuel] Parlby case is a hard one. Has put JH's letter and enclosures into the hands of Reid [TM's son-in-law]. Will arrange for the case to be brought before the Governor. Arrangements are being made to erect a statue of Sir George Grey in the Botanic Garden in front of the new library and museum. Is proud of his own sailor son [John Maclear].
Congratulations on marriage of JH's son William. Hopes Willy and his bride will call at the Cape on their way to India. Attorney General has just returned from Grahamstown with the [Samuel] Parlby papers. Has finished work on measurement of arc of meridian.
Sending a further section to be added to the Arc of Meridian. Comments on Nicolas Lacaille's work on the meridian. Has cherished memories of thirty years previous to this time of the year.
Will learn with regret that Feldhausen has had to be sold because R. J. Jones, the owner, was in debt. Outlines the alterations to the house and to the neighborhood now that the railroad has appeared. Has a tribe of grandchildren now.
Sending photographs and plans of the Feldhausen estate. Comments on the recent sale of this property. Is anxious about the safety of David Livingstone. Comments on Livingstone's plans and the observational work he has been doing.
The mica will do beautifully. Sorry to hear of the return of JH's complaint. Will send barometric observations tomorrow.
Sends the results of one good night's observations entirely reduced. More transit observations are in process of being reduced.