Looked for JS to talk with him about the secretaryship of the R.S.L., specifically discussing Charles Babbage's position. JH would prefer to have JS nominate Babbage.

Tells CB that everyone is anxious to have CB allow his name to stand for the Secretaryship of the R.S.L. JH lists many names of people who have all said they would vote for CB.

Writing on behalf of her husband, Charles, who is away, GB expresses her thankfulness for JH's kindness, and believes Charles will agree to be nominated for secretary of the R.S.L.

Informs JH of the need for a short R.S.L. Council meeting.

Is not able to accede to HD's suggestion that JH interview J. G. Children. JH now feels that given HD's views, JH must withdraw Charles Babbage's name from nomination for secretary of the R.S.L.

Is anxious to talk to JH about the matter of Charles Babbage's election. Believes Babbage being out of town is best, thereby leaving matters in the hands of his friends.

FB has seen P. M. Roget and Stephen Groombridge, who both give their support to Charles Babbage's election. FB is very concerned about the lack of an R.S.L. Council meeting when most council members would attend.

On 23 Nov. in the evening, at what JH calls an irregular meeting of the R.S.L., J. G. Children was elected Secretary, to serve with JH, who had been secretary for some years. JH urges that the R.S.L. and its members must now rise beyond this shabbiness and move ahead.

In describing the way in which J. G. Children was elected to the secretaryship, JH says 'the matter was irregularly brought by the President before a meeting of eight or nine persons whom he chose to call a council' to meet for a few minutes 'to transmit some business connected with the Treasurer's accounts.' JH feels Humphry Davy's actions will not be excused even by Davy's best friends.

Has heard a report that [Humphry] D[avy] is not prepared to nominate Charles Babbage and that D[avy] would be glad if J. G. Children would become Secretary of the R.S.L. Nonetheless, WF hopes that Davy will change his mind.

Urges JS not to insist on a minor point of dispute about the title of a prospective member. JH feels it is inappropriate and will simply reflect against Charles Babbage, who proposed this person for membership.

Asks for JH's assistance in the acquiring of some astronomical equipment.

Kept busy by writing. Works with Teodoro Monticelli. Expects Captain [Richard] Copeland to visit.

Responds to receipt of sample impression of GP's memoir [see GP's 1825-12-3]. Comments on printing and paying arrangements, and to whom copies are to be sent. Comments on value of using an equatorial telescope as opposed to a meridian circle. [Some parts of the letter are illegible.]

Writes to correct error JH identified in GP's memoir [see GP's 1826-1-18]. Also asks to have two additional passages added to improve memoir. Intends to come to England next winter. Is including a list of corrections for the memoir [list is missing].

Has received a package of books from JH, some of which will be sent on as instructed. Is interested in the work of JH and James South on double stars. Also comments on parallax measure of the sun and on transits of Venus. Wants to respond to P. S. Laplace's theory of Jupiter and Saturn.

Is sending JH some of GP's work, some of it to be forwarded. Refers to a note by GP in some of F. X. von Zach's writings, which GP would like to have added to his memoir being published by the Astronomical Society. GP comments on the status of some of his own astronomical projects.

Still concerned about possible changes to GP's memoir [see GP's 1826-1-28] due to the work of P. S. Laplace. Comments on illness [?] of F. X. von Zach.

Thanks HO for JH's election to the Royal Academy of Copenhagen. Comments on some chemical and magnetical experiments.

Chemical constitution of meteorites. JH suspects lead-iron alloy. Believes this has not been proposed before. Send specimen for JH's analysis.