Reports on sending and receiving barometric and magnetic observations. GP's 20 year old daughter is still not married [see GP's 1838-1-6], but GP believes her chances are improving.

Returns reports on Cape Observatory and reform of star nomenclature. FB was not included in committee to report reduction of stars in N. L. Lacaille's Coelum australe stelliferum, but sends FB's own report on it, which JH may send in.

Report to B.A.A.S. on progress and expenses in reduction of stars in N. L. Lacaille's Coelum australe stelliferum.

Will visit C. R. Fox at Ordnance to speed up official letter to Treasury requesting additional officer on magnetic expeditions. Will inform JH when letter reaches [S. H.] Christie [at Royal Military Academy, Woolwich].

J. T. Boileau and L. E. O. Ludlow were appointed by H.E.I.C. to direct Indian observatories. R.S.L. is concerned that it has no choice in selecting directors. Instruments for H.E.I.C. observatories. Should JL request additional staff for all 16 observatories, or only for nine permanent ones?

Asks about letter that Lord Northampton requested Lord Palmerston to give to Mr. Stewart, who leaves for Egypt soon.

Is forwarding a note about an instrument of [Louis] Daguerre's.

Agrees with FB and others about the need for adequately trained men to be sent out to remeasure N. L. Lacaille's arc.

On behalf of the Council of the R.S.L., JH writes to LD to request a camera and a hundred plates of Daguerre's about to be announced process, so that the R. S. L. may equip the James Ross expedition to the Antarctic with the means of making a photographic record of the voyage.

Saturday the 17th will be convenient because it gives him time to finish his pendulum experiments.

[A. T.] Kupffer, [Humphrey] Lloyd, and ES will meet [C. F.] Gauss at later date. Desires cooperation with Russia. Birmingham good for B.A.A.S., but the meeting lacks distinguished scientists.

Asks JH whether he presented to the Council of the R.S.L. the resolution of the Meteorological Committee regarding references made by the 'Colonial Office, Trinity[?] Board, etc.'

Supports JH's idea of having one simultaneous observation each day. Suggests that there might be two a day. Has suggested to Humphrey Lloyd that hourly observations take place once a fortnight. Says Lloyd wishes to speak about supplies.

Explains that the purpose of his trip with Humphrey Lloyd is to 'establish the cooperation of the continental magnetic observatories.' Desires that the trip be authorized by the R.S.L.

Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd. Sees no problem in adding an officer to the staff of each observatory, if necessary. Remarks on a cheap but fragile magnetometer.

Is grieved by the R.S.L. report, which supports a 'voyage of Discovery to the Antarctic' rather than 'research in Physical Sciences in the Southern Hemisphere.' Speaks of the discoveries made by expeditions to the Antarctic, including great changes in magnetic variations.

Admiralty is dissatisfied at still being responsible for the Van Diemen's Land Observatory. Suggests responsibility be shifted to the Ordinance. Treasury will no longer finance the building of observatories when other buildings are available. Describes new procedures whereby officers observing in the colonies must present colonial governors with proper letters upon request.

Anticipates Humphrey Lloyd's arrival at London this night. Announces that the pendulum experiments are finished. Interested in inspecting the magnetic instruments in preparation for the Antarctic journey. Plans JH's visit.

Disappointed not to have received a response from JH to his invitation for a visit. Goes ahead with plans.

Addresses a few last words before departing for Italy with his wife. Sends 3 memoirs just published. Will be in Paris to observe meteors. Proposes to redo terrestrial magnetism observations in Italy.