Work will begin on obelisk at Feldhausen. Occultation of Gamma1 and Gamma2 Virginis observed. Triangulation survey will take TM away from Royal Observatory for extended time. Slave ship carries small pox and causes outbreak. Parallax observations show brightest stars, not nearest.
Acknowledges letter requesting land for the Magnetic Observatory. Has a portion of land available in the S.E. corner of the grounds, but it will be necessary to obtain the permission of Rear Admiral George Elliot.
Erebus and Terror have arrived in Simon's Bay. Discussed Magnetic Observatory with J. C. Ross, Captain Croper, and F. E. Wilmot, and wrote government requesting funds. Obelisk has not yet reached the Cape. Small pox rages in Cape Town.
Arrived in Zwartland in September. Surveyed grounds; measured baselines. Will be absent from observatory until Zwartland work finished.
Came back from Zwartland for a day, but returns tomorrow. Relates news of the measuring of the base line. Visited magnetic observatory; work in Zwartland not yet complete. Magnetic Observatory satisfactory despite slow construction. No news of the obelisk yet.
Measuring work of the base line is virtually completed and levelling of the line will commence forthwith. Has devoted every day to the work except Sundays. Comments on various aspects of the work. F. E. Wilmot wishes he had not returned the rusty dip bar. Obelisk is on board the Romeo.
Received JH's constellation reform paper. Reports on triangulation at Zwartland and observations of possible variable stars. Obelisk at Feldhausen erected; relates controversies over the site.
Observed Comet Mauvais. Is grateful for JH's intervention on Observatory matters. Extra Meridian Instruments defective. Continues observations of variables. F. E. Wilmot's land survey cancelled. Magnetic survey progressing. Mary Maclear ailing.
Observatory work slowed since William Mann's absence due to head injury. C. P. Smyth's replacement not yet arrived. Regrets lack of assistants; wants to complete triangulation at Bushman Flat.
William Mann returns to England still in poor health. Expresses concern over running of Edinburgh Observatory by C. P. Symth. Regrets poor data from Cape Observatory on Comet of 1843. Observed Comet Gambert. Situation with Caffres hostile.
Suggests JH take trip to Continent to recover. Training a naval officer and the son of John Montague, Colonial Secretary, as observatory assistants. Describes outbreak of war with Caffres in detail.
Relating recent events in the latest Caffre war. [George] Childe has arrived and is engaged in preparing his rooms. Has had a letter from C. P. Smyth at Edinburgh. Price of commodities are rising rapidly at the Cape. Hopes that JH has taken expert medical advice.
Has just read W. R. Dawes's description of the observatory at Camden Lodge and the telescope by eorg Merz makes TM envious. Hopes JH will press claims for one for the Cape. Is at present engaged sinking the Sector for shelter. TM has suffered much from the effects of the heat. Dr. Gall has died, aged 98. What a drubbing G. B. Airy has given R. H. Inglis.
Has had to leave his work with the Sector due to ill health. Found [George] Child overworked at the Observatory. Comments on some observations. Pleased to hear that JH's health has improved. Mr. Watermeyer has died and C. F. H. von Ludwig remarried. Gives latest news of Kaffir War. Comments on the quarrel between G. B. Airy and James South.
Illness in the family has prevented him from acknowledging JH's splendid work, which arrived some weeks ago. Is grateful for JH's appreciation of TM's work. Wife has been very ill. C. F. H. Ludwig has died. H. G. W. Smith has said there must be a Botanic Garden at the Cape. New treaty regarding Kaffir land may increase the chance of peace.
Gives recent observations with the 46" achromatic. G. B. Airy has sent the elements of the recently discovered planets. Latest news of the Governor of the Cape and his diplomatic missions. Mrs. Maclear's sister has come out to visit them and her health and Mrs. Maclear's is improving. R. J. Jones has decided to keep Feldhausen in the family and not sell it.
Pleased to receive JH's letter of 12 June. Has to visit Agulhas to view the erection of the lighthouse. Gives details of the history of this new lighthouse. Pity François Arago does not continue his experiments with gas. Governor is in the North of the Country visiting the emigrant Boers.
While TM was at Agulhas the large equatorial arrived, perfectly safe. Dome and railway have not arrived yet. Had a letter from W. R. Dawes. Found lighthouse at Agulhas well made and has sent sample of the material to Francis Beaufort. Not much news of the war in the Colony. Will take care over the mounting of the equatorial.
Sends details of the progress of erecting the equatorial. William Mann is engaged on the Simon's Bay tide observations. The Madras Observatory post was offered to Mann but he declined it for health reasons. Comments on the affairs of [George Smalley], who is in financial difficulties. Not much news from the Cape. Comments on some of the educational news.
Has had four men working on the Dome to complete it before the bad weather. Has not heard who has been appointed to Madras. The candidate from the Cape is in financial difficulties. Tide reductions are progressing. Outlines the disturbances caused by the expected arrival of the convicts.