JSH writes to decline an offer to accept the office of Steward at the anniversary dinner for the Literary Fund Society. Explains this is due to commitments lecturing at Cambridge and in the region of his Hitcham parish.

JDH thanks his Aunt Elizabeth Palgrave for two letters, the first received in the Falkland Islands, the second, dated 3 Jan 1842, at Simon's Bay in the Cape of Good Hope. He is glad to have received so many backdated letters with news of his family, even though early in the expedition every letter at a new port brough bad news: the illness & death of his brother Willy [William Henslow Hooker] in Jamaica, the death of his sister Mary [Harriet Hooker] & the illness of his Grandfather & sister Elizabeth ['Bessy' Hooker]. But god things have befallen JDH on the expedition as well, he is satisfied he has done his duty & the expedition has been a success. JDH is delighted for his Father, William Jackson Hooker, who is very happy with his situation as Director of RBG Kew, as are the whole family. Mentions the education of his cousins Frank [Francis Turner Palgrave] & Giffy [William Gifford Palgrave] & his Uncle [Francis Palgrave's] health & poverty. Mentions MURRAY'S HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN NORTH ITALY, written by his uncle. Also contribution of his aunt & Lady Callcott to a volume on Westminster Abbey. JDH recalls visiting Lady Callcott in 1829. JDH hopes that on his return his aunt will teach him an appreciation for art. JDH has missed music & art whilst at sea. He has heard no music since the band of the HMS 'Carysfort' played at Berkeley Sound in the Falkland Islands. When previously in Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] JDH found the ladies at Government House very musical. Now, in Simon's Bay he goes to see the band of HMS 'Winchester' every day, even though they are not very good. JDH has just heard the news about the subjugation of Kabul & Afghanistan, so Gurney [Turner] should no longer be in danger, JDH sends Gurney his regards & good luck in India. JDH wrote to Dawson [Turner] from the Falklands, he hopes his uncle can find less taxing work, as his father has done in leaving Glasgow for Kew. JDH hopes to be in England in 5 months.

Sending readings from his observations of the comet.

Comments on JH's positive calotype. Suggests comet may be return of (J.-D.) Cassini's comet of 1668. Gives theorem for finding parabolic orbit of comet if two observations are made in the ecliptic.