Read your proposal on experiments at Teneriffe to the R.S.L. Council, which declined to make 'an especial recommendation' in support of them to the government.

Six artillery men have been placed under ES's command. Encloses letters from Charles Bonne. Asks ES to oversee the arrival of 180 rockets to be used at Wrotham and Fairlight. Proposes that ES test whether a light at Wrotham can be seen at Fairlight in which case gunpowder will be used instead of rockets. Sets date for ES to meet Bonne in Hornoy. Urges ES to record his expenses for the Board of Longitude.

Denies any knowledge of a R.S.L. Council meeting. Trusts the council will make its decisions based on public duty and science, not on the fact that the decision must be defended in later discussions. Has passed [George] Fisher's letter on to members as ES requested.

Expresses great pleasure that the fixed observatories have received official approval and financial support. Approves of ES's cost estimates. Encloses copy of the B.A.A.S. memorial. Agrees to tell Humphrey Lloyd to order instruments as requested by ES.

Regrets deeply the little notice given to the observatories and to Humphrey Lloyd in the R.S.L. President's recent speech. Urges ES to comfort Lloyd. States R.S.L. 'is no longer the sole arena in which a scientific name can be acquired.'

Declines to take steps to call a special committee or council meeting of the R.S.L. regarding foreign communications of the observatories, noting his own wish to stay out of R.S.L. affairs.

Insists on inclusion of all data and graphs in the publication of the accumulated magnetic observations, made as part of 'perhaps the very greatest scientific operation ... ever ... undertaken....' Urges that funding be sought from the government.

Provides examples to justify governmental support of various magnetic and meteorological observations. States that 'Terrestrial magnetism ... of all sciences of observation holds out the greatest present prospect of decisive reduction under ... exact theory.' Mentions work by N. L. Lacaille and Thomas Maclear at the Cape.

Advice for standardizing observations, to be given to the Physical Committee of the R.S.L.

Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that ES and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'

Supports proposed course of action to procure for [Francis] Ronalds half of the grant and recognition given to [Charles] Brooke alone for similar photographic invention.

Supports proposal made by C. M. Elliot to execute 'running survey' of India with instruments from observatories.

Thanks Mrs. Sabine for translation of third volume of Alexander von Humboldt's Kosmos. Admires its author. Questions references in notes. Discusses meeting for Wintringham Committee.

Agrees with suggestions made by ES concerning the publication of meteorological observations.

Encloses proposed resolution to controversy over whether to build railway tunnel under park. Will be unable to attend meeting because of chronic bronchitis.

Believes B.A.A.S. should continue to maintain Kew Observatory, but worries about finances. Encloses letter from William R. Birt, whose aid will maintain it for a while.

Believes Kew Observatory will be ineffective if not private observatory of B.A.A.S., so wishes not to attend meeting to draw up application for government support. Approves, however, of committee revising report.

JH's catalog of nebulae, reduced to 1880 as originally planned, is nearly complete and consumed all of £20 granted by R.S.L. Seeks £16 more to expand catalog and reduce data to 1860, as recommended by G. B. Airy.

Describes in detail proceedings of a committee meeting, particularly noting remarks made about ES and stressing committee's wish to see evidence of progress.

Thanks for gelatine [?] paper. Hopes to photograph the sun.