Weather is most provoking. Thinks it best to delay the action until Friday.

Is pleased to have a look at JH's labors, but is not at home with the observations. Sorry to hear of JH's bodily sufferings. Has another sheet printed off, but no copies at the moment. Transit clock has increased its daily rate. South end of the mural circle has heaved up. Land to west of the Observatory is being discussed with view to purchase.

Returns JH's book of estimated magnitudes and would like it again when preparing his catalogue. Sends letters he received from Francis Beaufort and [Richard?] Jones. Is oppressed with business and an awful cough.

Thanks for JH's interest in the 'little fellow'; he has now passed all danger. Is glad JH has unravelled the mysteries of h Centauri. Wrote to Thomas Brisbane pointing out imperfections in the catalogue. Has started to publish an abstract of the Met[eorological] J[our]n[a]l in the Government Gazette. Will not attend the glittering assembly at Government House tonight.

Sends the Comptes rendus in which he will find the notice TM alluded to. Beautiful definition last night. Gauze diminishes the light without further mischief.

Thanks for the interesting account of the star whose variability has now been established. Used the 3 1/2 foot last night and definition was good. Returns JH's letter to [James?] Dunlop and thinks there should be no offense taken. Opening for the Zenith is being enlarged. Measured JH's azimuth East and West yesterday.

Shall have the barometers and thermometers (readings?) tomorrow. Was disappointed with his observations. Admiralty has allowed the extra expense. Comments on the report on the death of 'poor young Musgrave.' Does JH know a particular problem in the damming of water?

Thanks for the perusal of Capt. J. A. Lloyd's papers. Comments on Lloyd's work at Mauritius. Does not think a mural circle necessary for the observatory at Mauritius. Regarding the Parade base line at the Cape. Not easy to put the guns into the ground.

Has received books and papers by the Beagle but only one letter and nothing from Francis Beaufort. Expects a party of visitors from the Beagle. If JH intends to visit the Bay, TM would like to accompany him.

If the weather clears up would like to compare his observations of the eclipse with those of JH. Thinks of riding over on Sunday so that JH can question him on Klypfonteyn and N. L. Lacaille's station.

News of Wickham [Commander of the Beagle] and J. L. Stokes, who are still at Simon's Bay. Called on George Grey and Franklin Lushington yesterday. Childe Harold from Bombay will sail about Saturday. Did JH see Wilhelm Beer's and J. H. Mädler's paper in the Comptes rendus on the 6th and 7th satellites of Saturn?

Awful night of thunder, wind, and rain; floods around the Observatory. Gives rainfall since 22 June. Has written to [J. D.?] Thompson to observe tides at Simon's Bay. Has no one at Table Bay. Measured Alpha Centauri on the meridian. Found JH's planetary nebulae with the mural circle.

Sends two drawings of C. P. Smyth and a portrait of Isaac Newton sent by Dr. [John?] Lee; also a plan of the triangulation.

Availed himself of the calm weather to finish the parade measurement. Gives an account of the work.

Thanks for the perusal of [W. H.?] Smyth's letter; also had one, which he will send later when he has considered certain points. The zenith sector is on board the Wellesley, expected daily. Benjamin D'Urban has granted all TM's wishes regarding the survey. Re-surveyed the ground this morning.

Call on Col. G. G. Lewis; the latter expressed a desire to see the rods laid off. Can JH come and breakfast with them to see the operation? JH needs a rest from astronomy to restore his health.

Examined the base line on Tuesday; gives a resume of the operations. On Monday night observed the Polar stars; comments on the disappearance of certain stars in the Brisbane catalogue. Thinks a chain is preferable to deal rods in measuring base lines.

Hard at work mapping the polar stars. Rejoices at Dr. Andrew Smith's success. The results of tonight will be delivered by J. K. Gibbs in the morning.

Cannot send the Brisbane list by the end of the week. Will not expect J. K. Gibbs until the cart is finished. Returns solar spots.

Polar region was thick this evening so that very minute stars were invisible. Set C. P. Smyth to the transit and himself at the circle to observe JH's list of stars. Received the spherometer safely. Intends to stake out the base line again on Tuesday. [Andrew?] Sm[y]th's expedition will be a serious undertaking in the Eastern direction.