Has called special meeting of Physical Committee to discuss SC's response to R.S.L.'s proposal to establish permanent observatory. Expresses JH's opinion and recommends temporary observatory instead. Keep this issue separate from funding for publication of present observations.

Apologizes for not having written, but has been 'harassed with desultory and importunate calls on [his] name.' Commends WS on accomplishments at Pulkowa and performance of Repsold instruments. Congratulates WS on his son Otto Struve. Received WS's figures on Halley's Comet. Comments on bright stars of variable nature. Estimates 35 or 36 magnetic observatories in the world.

L. A. J. Quetelet's observations follow centigrade thermometer and French meter. Latitude and longitude for five sites. Three sites are unknown to JH. Hopes WB completes [reduction of barometer observations] before B.A.A.S. meeting.

No summary available.

Advice on how to project barometric observations onto curves.

Responds to GA's circulated material for the Standards Commission; suggests time to digest the information.

Must report progress of meteorological reductions to B.A.A.S. Send specimen of 'Curves' before first week in September. Gives latitudes and longitudes for North American stations.

Reports that there is no bust of William Herschel at the R.S.L., as JH once believed.

Requests documents about the disagreement between George Napier and Andries Stockenström, which developed at the Cape. In the course of this request, JH expresses his feelings on the matter.

Asks WW to write letters of introduction for [James] Innes, an educator from the Cape. Comments on WW's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, expressing reservations about its a prioristic approach.

JH has given away his sweeping telescope to [Johann] Hausmann and the 5-ft. Newtonian reflector to the R.A.S. to be preserved 'long after I and all the little ones are dead and gone.' The skies have been excellent for JH to observe variable stars and to connect the northern with the southern magnitudes. Proved that Alpha Orionis is both a variable star and a periodical star.

Explains efforts at using a makeshift apparatus for 'fixing the spectrum.' Discusses current confusion and ultimate hope surrounding JF's meteorological recommendations. In a postscript, notes observations of meteors in Persei.

Returns papers dealing with the treatment of Andries Stockenström by Sir George Napier.

Provides information [see GA's 1840-8-13] based on equipping the Breslau Observatory; also comments on lawyers, meteor showers, and photography.

Is trying to reduce the ill feeling between GN and Andries Stockenström relating to the governing of the Cape colony; JH feels hampered by limited information.

G. B. Airy needs HL to send him the information used to set up colonial magnetic observatories.

Conduct of GN [governor at Cape of Good Hope, 1837-43] toward Andries Stockenström was unimpeachable. Stockenström's letters to JH show favorable view of GN. GN was not responsible for Stockenström's removal.

Congratulates AS on AS being made baronet; wishes him well on re-joining his family at the Cape. Hopes that the problems between AS and Governor George Napier were due only to 'incompatibility of positions.'

Thanks RH for a sample of Daguerreotype paper. Comments on some aspects of the action of 'thermic' rays and 'chemical' rays in photography.

Acknowledges receipt of meteorological observations from EH. P.S. [dated 1840-8-28] reports on August meteor showers observed by JH.