About some unfortunate private business, and difficulty with [Francesco] De Vico's star catalogue.

Thanks JH for a copy of a paper on prismatic study of the sun's rays, and for accompanying photographs.

Has passed on GA's note to Edward Sabine; cannot write more because his hand shakes too much, having just made a snow-man for the children.

Sends a letter from Humphrey Lloyd for GA's comments.

Provides extensive comments, about GA's magnetic instruments and observations, in reply to Humphrey Lloyd's letter [see JH's 1842-1-17].

Thanks GA for his comments [see GA's 1842-1-18]; hopes that GA would be willing to have such statements, and other similar statements, made public.

Agrees to having GA's views made public [see JH's 1842-1-18 or later] as JH sees fit; comments on aurora and magnetic storm observations.

Another copy of the Report of the Standards Commission is being circulated [see GA's 1841-12-25] and needs JH's signature; J. E. Drinkwater is sending in a personal report complaining about the Commission's conservatism.

Thanks JH for sending copy of [JH's translation of Friedrich Schiller's] 'The Walk.' Although he has no knowledge of German, he treasures this translation and appreciates JH's kindness very much.

Encloses [G. B.] Airy's letter, which he thinks should accompany [Humphrey] Lloyd's reply regarding magnetism. Thinks all Physical Committee members must be made aware of new developments.

Discusses term and extra magnetic observations with regard to [Humphrey] Lloyd's letter. Would prefer to keep them separate, but feels no harm will come from keeping them together.

Discusses report of R.S.L. regarding observatories. [Charles] Wheatstone agrees with report on Kew except for tax paragraph. Discusses November 18 [1841] magnetic disturbance at Toronto.

Will give JH's report on Kew Observatory to Charles Wheatstone. Sends JH actinometer reports. Questions methods of observation and quality of observers. Discusses government support of scientific research.

Transmits message from [A. T.] Kupffer about setting up an observatory at Hammerfest and details about various apparati. Notes proposal for observatory in northern Siberia. Has ordered 250 copies of the Physical Committee Report.

Discusses at length and rejects JH's recommendation that communication in scientific projects take place solely by letter and theorization solely by individuals. Mentions subsequent variation in intervals between magnetic observations and disputes between G. B. Airy and Humphrey Lloyd, as well as other difficulties.

JH's return of order offered him was painful. Will report in Astronomische Nachrichten that JH denies meteorological theory attributed to him and that the 'Wiener Wirtschaftskalender für 1840' is based on JH's authority.

Asks JH to thank King Christian VIII of Denmark for the order, even though JH cannot accept it. Sends a mathematical puzzle.

Sorry that JH can only send 'very poor' photographic process specimens.

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

Clarifies role and methods of R.S.L. Council and scientific committees, suggesting that members of Physical Committee need to be better informed about its activities.