Regrets that JH did not visit Ireland last year. Hopes he will come this year. Has he heard of W. R. Hamilton? David Brewster intends visiting Ireland, though he is busy with his Encyclopaedia.

Describes glass experiments he is performing.

Questions concerning a vacant professorship at Dublin Observatory.

Offers information, and strategy, which GA may find useful if he is seriously considering a position at Dublin Observatory; much of the information JH provides comes from Francis Beaufort.

Proposed visit to Dublin and letters of introduction from JH.

About reviews of JG's book, and of a painting of Galileo that JG saw.

Sends copies of a paper to JH and D. F. J. Arago on a chemical experiment being conducted at the Institute of France. Asks JH to present it to the R.S.L.

The severe winter confined him to home. Dissuades Smith from undertaking a cryptogamic flora after conclusion his present work ["English Flora"] on account of the enormous extent, minuteness of research, and Smith's bad eye-sight; believes such a work unworthy of Smith's station and talents.

Unable to finish his description of 'Amomum melegueta' despite use of Smith's observations and article on 'Melegueta' in "Cyclopedia"; will wait for Smith to see his observations and drawing, with Mr Graves, the colourer, at Peckham, [Surrey]. Included 'Cardamom' plant and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata' in his genus 'Matonia'; defends the latter with references to Smith's "Cyclopedia" article, [William] Roxburgh's "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel", and White's "Linnean Transactions" vol 10 paper ['A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom']. Disappointed to not join the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].

Of JH's health, of JG's daughter Matilda, and the people he has met in Dawlish.

On the poor functioning of the R.S.L. Glass Committee.

Thanks for his letter. Can JH or Charles Babbage suggest someone to experiment with glass? Michael Faraday? Regarding the £100 voted for John Newman or his assistant. Has to attend a local meeting on Wednesday.

Observations on the position of professorship at Dublin, conditions of service, income, etc.

As G. B. Airy has chosen not to stand as a candidate for the astronomical position in Dublin [Astronomer Royal of Ireland], JH is strongly supporting DL for that position.

Dionysius Lardner is candidate for Dublin Observatory. Please send Edward Sabine's paper on longitude.

On the questions of the usefulness of occultations and the use of mean time in astronomy, JH would much value WS's opinions.

Saw Sir Thomas Cullum, who will not be at Bury, [Suffolk], when Smith intends to visit, so recommends that Smith come to them. Agrees with Smith on 'Salix' except for Smith not adopting 'S. borreriana'. Linnean Society elected 10 FMLS last night, [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858), botanist] and Sayr were excluded. Alternative arrangements should Hale End be too far for reaching London.

[Letter incomplete: address label removed, obscuring text on verso of second folio]

Comments on GA's response to an offer from Dublin [see JH's 1827-4-7]; also about the discussion in the Council of the R.S.L. of a report of experiments from William Whewell and GA; JH makes some disparaging remarks about the work of John Pond.

Thanks Smith for showing his book "Amoenitates Italicae" to the Linnean Society. Sending another of his publications, "Praelectiones rei herbariae quae et prolegomena ad floram Italicam" via Professor Amici of Modena. Praise of Smith's "English Flora" and "Flora Graeca" as giving the "best direction" for his own work. Thanks for election as FMLS. Would appreciate advice on 'Scabiosa gramontia' and 'Scabiosa columbaria', referring Smith to pages from "Amoenitates Italicae" and adds a clarification of his classification . Offers to send any Italian plants Smith may require.

No news of Dublin. Remarks on a series of experiments. Observations on JH's paper on the Nautical Almanac.

Received the first volume of Johann Pfaff's German translation of William Herschel's papers. Just completed a second catalog of double stars; review of nebulae going slowly. JH comments on his precise sweeps.