Published opinions on magnetic and meteorological survey should be restricted to correspondents who were directly involved in observations, particularly foreign participants. Most others may express their views at B.A.A.S. meeting in Cambridge. Recommends omitting M. F. Maury's letter and including that of J. M. Gilliss.

Response to questions on magnetic circular sent out by JH [see JH's 1844-12-5].

ES will write to M. F. Maury. Concurrence of both R.S.L. and B.A.A.S. is needed before congress is announced. Proofs of foreign responses to JH's circular will be ready next week.

George Bishop refuses permission for W. R. Dawes to edit Dawes's own observations. Portrait of Francis Baily should be nearly finished. Auction of Baily's books. Plans to start over 'de novo' and not use Baily's method for evaluating standards of measure. Convinced that standards must be connected with Ordnance survey of U.K. and T. F. Colby's units.

Comments on JH's observing a 'falling star.'

About a letter of recommendation JH is preparing for Robert Hunt.

Responds to comments about Robert Hunt [see JH's 1845-4-2]; talks about making an artificial eye.

Thanks for JH's certificate concerning AS's battery, now finding increasing support.

Comments on the various responses to the circulated questions about magnetic observations [see JH's 1844-12-5].

[William] Penn produced letter written on WR's behalf by JH. Thanks JH for letter, which increased Mr. Slingsby's [?] confidence.

Seeks GA's assistance in solving a puzzle in the mathematics of rotating bodies.

Discusses meetings of B.A.A.S. Describes [Robert Chambers's] Vestiges of Creation as a 'singularly shallow work.' Asks various astronomical questions of JH. Says the author misunderstands P. S. Laplace and Auguste Comte. AS is quite harsh in criticism.

[Robert Chambers's] Vestiges of Creation is shallow and full of errors. Tells AS not to spare it when he reviews it. Discusses various topics including the nebular hypothesis, P. S. Laplace, central heat in gravitation, and the density of planets. Also, the 'nonsensical calculations' of Auguste Comte's astronomy.

Asks various questions about P. S. Laplace's nebular hypothesis and about Auguste Comte's discussion of it. AS comments: 'Your Father and you have given ample materials for observations for a 1000 years to come.'

Discusses procedures that should be followed when the Committee on Physics is summoned to deal with a 'momentous' matter, i.e., the discontinuation of the magnetic observatories.

Hopes to inscribe a copy of Francis Baily's autograph on the proofs of his portraits. On the plates his full titles should be inscribed; asks JH's help in determining these. How RS can combine this with the autograph. On JH's dispute with James South.

On Francis Baily's titles and on how to get a print with Baily's picture, autograph, and name in regular capitals. Explains remarks he made in a controversy with T. R. Robinson and published in the Athenaeum [Autumn, 1843] about JH's father's telescopes.

Provides the best values available for dispersion and separation, which will allow GA to calculate what he needs [see GA's 1845-4-4].

Expresses his pleasure at RH's new position at the Museum of Economic Geology.

C. P. Smyth receives appointment as Astronomer Royal of Scotland. Again thanks JH for recommendation.