Seeks opinions on discontinuing use of 25-foot zenith tube and altering form of printed observations for transit instrument and mural circle.

Requests reimbursement for £316 JH paid to [Georg] Merz for two bills owed by astronomer royal.

Refuses permission for JH's portrait to appear in Collins's Portraits & Memoirs of Eminent Conservatives (1846). JH has never identified publicly with any political party.

Asks for latest chemical information on platina groups, or 'Platinoids.' In trying to remove platina from mineral specimens JH may have found new metal. Describes its characteristics. P.S.: Keep this information private.

Thanks for information [on latest platina research]. Has encountered 'a totally new metallic chemistry.' Searching for papers by Mr. Gros and Mr. Beiset. Describes JH's experiments with 'Platinoids,' which JH named like asteroids: Heberum, Astraeum, and Neptunium.

Encloses JH's letter of 11 Oct., which was not mailed to RK. Discovered traces of titanium in Astraeum. Puzzled by saline compounds that appear in JH's experiments with 'Platinoids.'

Grateful that AK withheld 'fanatical letter' addressed to Caroline Herschel. JH authorized Drummonds Bank in London to honor any check from [A. A.] Mühry up to £50 to pay for Caroline's needs. Tell Miss [Sophie] Beckedorff and Dr. Mühry to use this channel, rather than writing to JH directly.

JH's opinions regarding agreement between R.S.L. and Hudson Bay Company for survey of northern Canada. Transportation expenses should be paid by Company, officer's salary by Ordnance department, but R.S.L. may choose to bear costs in order to avoid dishonoring science. Reviews magnetic data obtained by survey.

Reports on the changes to be made to the British Museum heating system to improve heating and ventilation in the manuscripts department.

Again writes [see JH's 1847-6-9] about the heating system at the British Museum.

Agrees that H. C. Schumacher and foreign institutions should be added to list of recipients for catalogs. Please submit recommended names to B.A.A.S. Needs addresses of [W. S.] Stratford and Paramatta observatory. Complications in mailing B.A.A.S. catalog to foreign recipients.

Comments on astronomical symbols, and position of camera when photographing buildings.

Completion and transfer of telescope for Cape [of Good Hope]. Grateful for receipt of [Cape Results].

[Received JH's 12 Nov. letter.] Send bill for Munich telescope to Admiralty. Order parts for dome construction, which [Thomas] Maclear cannot procure at Cape [of Good Hope].

[Reply to JH's 19 Nov. note.] FB may be able to get Admiralty to have roof [for telescope at Cape of Good Hope] built at Cranbrook under JH's direction. Submit plan or estimate of time and expenses. Just saw [Thomas] Maclear's letter telling of adventures in 'northern expedition.'

Thanks for JH's reply about 'Towson Tables.' Please return copy of JH's letter to FB. Encloses Georg Merz's account. [Telescope] is at Custom House awaiting shipment to Cape of Good Hope. Does JH have plan and estimate yet for dome, so FB can present it to Admiralty? Received JH's 24 Oct. note about Mr. Morris's account.

Admiralty lords paid £316 to JH's account at Drummond's [Bank] for dome to house Cape of Good Hope telescope.

Withdrew £25 from Drummonds [Bank] for Caroline L. Herschel. Describes Caroline's deteriorating condition. JH's [Cape Results] arrived three months ago. Despite efforts by friends to convince her that it was hers, [Caroline] presented it to king of Hanover, who already had copy. Received manuscript from JH's daughter Louisa.

Happy to learn that Cape equatorial [telescope] is ready. Address it to Francis Beaufort at Admiralty Office. Discusses payment. Sent [Cape Results] as GM instructed.

[Form letter] Invitation to attend annual awards ceremony at College for Civil Engineers.