Sends JH's 1817 observations; cannot locate any he made in 1811. Tells WS Gamma Virginis measurements will take more time.

Decides not to print G. Reichenbach's papers on JH's advice. Will consider Reichenbach's papers in the future.

Will review all Gamma Virginis observations before revising orbit. Catalogue of major nebulae complete; will work on minor nebulae next.

Regarding H. C. Schumacher and the Stephen Groombridge observations.

Regarding a letter from F. W. Bessel. On holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Regarding a meeting of the new 'Standard' committee.

Is expecting to be summoned to Slough, about repossessing JH's [and William Herschel's] old premises; this will affect JH's availability for a meeting [see GA's 1843-6-24].

Answers questions raised in JH's 1843-6-5; comments on other astronomical matters.

Has obtained maps from the Diffusion Society and marked in the new stars and the constellations. Has arranged to send some to him.

Asks GA on behalf of F. W. Bessel, for unreduced positions of a star that FB wishes to examine for annual parallax.

Apologizes for confusion about F. W. Bessel's request [see GA's 1843-6-6], but JH had neglected to check date on FB's letter.

Thanks FB for some papers; raises questions relating to remodelling the constellations of the southern sky.

Is on the point of returning to the Cape and will be pleased to deliver anything to Thomas Maclear. Has borrowed three chronometers from the Admiralty for the magnetic survey. His stay was too short for him to visit JH.

Has received the two parcels of books. Regarding imperfections in the actinometer.

Legal matters concerning the lease.

Have received his draft and done as instructed.

Have now completed the surrender on the lease and enclose the counterpart.

The colored meteors were too low on the horizon for JH to see them. Comments on the number of falling stars when comets approach the earth. Sends copies of his essay on comets and a book for children. Is working on various papers including one on 'Deafness in Balloons.' Is co-operating with L. A. J. Quetelet in a Register of Periodical Phenomena.

JDH reports to his sisters, Maria & Elizabeth 'Bessy', his arrival in Rio de Janeiro after a stop at Ascension Island. He writes of the correspondence he has recently sent & received. He explains that Captain [James Clark] Ross has not received despatches from the Admiral so their movements are uncertain. They will probably make some observations in Rio before returning home. They also need to make repairs to the ship, HMS 'Erebus'. JDH wrote to their father, Sir William Jackson Hooker, per the HMS 'Waterwitch' from St Helena & send him a parquet[sic] [parakeet?] on the ship 'Queen'. JDH was particularly glad to hear from his sisters that all their family are well. JDH writes about his sisters' trip to Hampshire, mentioning Bury Hill & Gilbert White's NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBOURNE. JDH sends his regards to Mrs Gray of the British Museum & communicates that her nephew, his messmate, Lieutenant Smith is well. JDH describes Rio de Janeiro harbour, town & scenery mentioning the Organ Mountains. He particularly mentions the abundance of churches & convents, & cheap fruit: oranges, bananas & pineapples. He notes how different Rio is to all the cooler colonies previously visited during the expedition. He also mentions the young Emperor of Brazil, newly married to the daughter of the King of Naples. JDH complains about the drums & pipes on a nearby American ship, which plays Yankee Doodle every night, drowning out the more skilled band on the Brazilian flagship. JDH was glad to hear that his sisters have seen Baxter & he got home safely.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that he expects to be home soon after this letter arrives. Captain Ross is keen to leave Rio de Janeiro as soon as the Bowsprit is replaced & before despatched from Monte Video can order them to stay. JDH reflects on the expedition now it is nearly over. He is glad to have done it, though it was not what he expected, & he would have found it tedious if not for the study of botany to fill his hours with. Captain Ross has been kind to JDH & he is grateful but he does not love the man & thinks he should have shown kindness to other deserving parties. JDH briefly speculates on his future with the Naval Service, before receiving a Surgeon's Commission he would have to take further exams at Edinburgh [University]. He would rather remain in the service than be a burden on his family but thinks he will be able to pay his way by acting as an assistant to his father in his work at Kew. JDH collected 22 different species of fern at St Helena & 8 at Ascension with only 1 species common to both. Some of JDH's duplicate Auckland Island plant specimens have begun to moulder but the New Zealand ferns are resisting the damp. He discusses the morphology of a Diplazium fern species from St Helena. JDH wrote to Brown from the Cape of Good Hope. Under the heading 8pm JDH continues that e has received a letter from [George] Gardner with letters of introduction to people in Rio, but JDH will have little time to make use of the introductions. JDH regrets that he has been prevented from making his planned excursion to Tejuca in the Sierra dos Organõs to collect Cladonia perfilata. JDH is pleased WJH has got Gardner a position with Fielding. He wishes the prospects for Arnott were as good.