Will try to get away tomorrow in time to join Gordons for trip to Collingwood [for Christmas]. Request from MH's milliner. Happy that MH patched things over with Stevensons. MH's letter to Mrs. Maclear was returned.
Encloses note from W. H. B. Hamilton. Request for extension of leave for J. F. L. P. Maclear should go to captain of Meander, but JH does not know where it is, so JH wrote to captain of Victory. If Maclear receives no word by tomorrow, tell him to report to commanding officer to whom he thinks he is assigned. Problems arranging instructions in assaying for Mr. Wooley. JH and assay master H. W. Field are not on good terms. More likely that Thomas Graham and [W. A.] Miller will permit a visitor, but neither has time to train apprentices.
Consoles MH on 'horrid affair.' Thankful that consequences were not worse. Arranging transportation for son William to Paris. Dinner with [Margaret Seymour,] Duchess of Somerset. Encloses letter from Richard Sheepshanks. Honored by Society of Arts request to include [JH's] photography in display to be shown to Prince Albert.
Hopes daughter Maria is better. Arrangements for Ball. Family finances: lists income and expenses at Collingwood and London residence. Describes carriage JH wants to buy. Ugly accident at [wedding?]; warns MH to avoid borrowing carriages. Anticipating six months of intense work following departure of H. D. Harness, after which JH intends to resign from Mint. Describes life as 'unendurable.' Misses children.
Daughters Caroline and Isabella left London yesterday. J. M. Cameron will pick up Julia today. JH stays late at Mint each night, leaving 'Miss R' [Rennie?] at home alone. Mr. Bulstrode agreed to let JH rent residence from month to month.
H. D. Harness leaves Mint today, but may return later if assignment to colonies is delayed. JH cannot go to park with daughters today. Completed report on Irish coinage. Duties regarding Cambridge University Committee.
Analogy between MH's love and action of light. All is ready for MH's arrival next week. Daughter Julia will spend month with J. M. Cameron. Miss Beaumont reports that JH's son John is recovering well from illness [at Clapham Grammar School?]. Cannot come to Collingwood Saturday; must work at 'Mammonium' [Mint]. Bring photography by JH for Mr. Hilhouse.
Sons John and Alexander visited JH yesterday. Forwards son William's letter describing voyage. News from Cape of Good Hope about [Eighth Frontier War]. Silver panic at Bank of England. Trouble dislodging 'remoras' (old officers) who retard changes at Mint.
Major fire in Refinery last night. Forwarded letter from Miss Meyer to MH. Used Mr. Love's help for unpleasant task. Glad that J. F. L. P. Maclear enjoys his naval profession. How is son William's back?
Describes ship Earl of Aberdeen and son William's departure [for Scotland]. JH got lost returning from London Docks; describes squalid neighborhoods. Visited Elizabeth Baily, who is ill, and Mrs. Stewart, who is composed and well. J. C. Stewart and Rose Stewart are both ill. University Commission is finishing its report. Attitude toward dissenters is more liberal that JH expected. MH's concertina lessons with Mrs. Jones.
Son Alexander has recovered and went with his brother John to Clapham School today. Will send J. F. L. P. Maclear's parcel to ship Meander. J. M. Cameron sent her translation of Part II of Dr. Heinemann's '[Pialiss?] van Actevelde.'
MH's birthday. Country needs bad harvest or expensive war to counteract 'monstrous plethora of gold' accumulated in England. Americans calling for naval war with England.
MH's illness. Note from son Alexander at Clapham Grammar School. Martha [?] sends purse for MH's birthday. Balloon ascended to 19,000 feet yesterday with Charles Green, landed near Cambridge.
Send bond that secures Peter Stewart's debt to JH; insurance company needs it. Let Mr. Wolf and Mr. Parkhurst arrange transfer of horse. Richard Jones seems well but complains about his feet. Forgot to mail Parkhurst's letters.
Difficult to accept C.'s [daughter Caroline's?] choice. JH had other hopes for her. Mr. Wolf's mare is beautiful and well trained. Instructed Mrs. Wolf to meet both trains today. Leaves rest to MH. Five major issues at Mint and University Committee take up all of JH's time. Will dine at Lady Bryant's tomorrow. Railroad investments. Send Peter Stewart's bond quickly.
Sad that MH's health is poor while facing 'deplorable affair' with MH's mother. JH's strength has returned. University Commission concluded its report this week. Attended Lady Bryant's dinner, met E. M. [Eneas Mackintosh?], who considers 'it all arranged.'
Describes [G. H.] Gordon, who visited JH at Mint yesterday. Sends copy of University Commission report. Recounts struggle between Adam Sedgwick and George Peacock over report's conclusions.
Colonel G.'s [Gordon's?] servant brought two pheasants from Collingwood. JH sent one to Mrs. Stewart. Encloses postal orders. W. T. Hooper will send certificate from Haileybury College for JH's son William. [Servant] James will stay on. Ends year at Mint with temporary cessation of gold coinage and 'huge battle of Silver.' Lists daily family expenses in London for 20-31 Dec.
Complains of overwork and of other people trying to involve JH in their quarrels; is glad MH has company.
Believes that war is imminent [see JH's 1852-1-9], that the south of England may well be attacked, and that MH and the girls should be prepared to go north.