JH and R. I. Murchison have agreed to be trustees [of Sinai survey; see PB's 1869-12-9]. Subscriptions to support survey. Sends description of expedition. Royal Geological Society unanimously approved survey.
Asks JH to confirm that JH appointed Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer on 25 Apr. 1851 after Henry Bingley declined position. Original letter of appointment is lost, and HF is accused of falsifying records.
Lists dates in 1851 on which steps were taken in appointment of Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer. HF is still under accusation.
Develops mathematical theorem.
Encloses copy of JS's letter to the Times in response to JH's recently published objections to currency system in India. Wishes to meet JH and discuss issue in private, then publish joint statement on subject.
Requests sending of a copy of recent R.S.L. Proceedings to JH's son in India.
Information about the distribution of papers.
Note to accompany an extract from JH's son John's letter, reporting on his observations of solar prominences.
In recent letter to the Times regarding international coinage, JH attributed viewpoint to Col. [J. T.] Smith that was in fact expressed by J. B. Smith, M.P. for Stockport. CW's remarks on valuation of coins.
Extended comments on John Herschel's [JH's son] observations of the spectrum of the solar corona.
Still worried about the meaning of some terms in John Herschel's [JH's son] paper [see GS's 1869-7-20].
Agrees with GS's clarification of 'continuous spectra' and other terms [see GS's 1869-9-2]. Includes a copy of part of a letter from John Herschel [JH's son] about solar prominences.
Clarifications of some confusion in the proof copy of a paper by John Herschel [JH's son].
[Summary in JH's hand:] Enquiry about Henry John Hollier's request for advance on mortgage. Enclosed form to be signed by JH [as co-trustee] or chief accountant of Bank of England. [JH note: signed form and returned it to Anderson and Shonbridge. Forwarded letter to Few & Co.]
Discusses in detail the then currently debated issue of a 'mintcharge or seigniorage' on gold coinage. Also discusses the idea of an international coinage.
Has read the syllabus of GA's lectures on magnetism; it reminds JH of his attempt to solve the problem of 'Mahomet's coffin', which JH still believes would work.
Is considering a new edition of Outlines Astr.[?] and wants to provide the latest determinations of the periods of rotation of the planets.
Has received GA's paper on spectral lines and is amazed that it is possible to see a spectrum in the light from faint nebulae.
'Great Comet of 1843' presents difficulties for JT's explanation of comets' tails [continuation of JH's 1869-5-28].
Notices in letter of last May JH's postscript about the rate of color blindness occurring to overworked or ill artists, and doubts it becomes di-chromic, but merely a 'weakness' of vision.