Comments on the proofs of his book that he has received so far. Has been ill and not feeling like intellectual work, so would he request his printer to send no more sheets for the time being.

JH responds to UL's concern about the Isaac Newton-Blaise Pascal forgeries [see UL's 1869-10-4].

Sends [William Whewell's] 'Isle of Sirens' and an acknowledgement to it in 'skimble skamble Hexameters.' Is eager to receive solar photographs and will send others by Professor [George?] Morton.

Comments on liquid and gaseous states of matter and on colloids; appreciates EB's kind words about JH's son Alexander.

Calls attention to James Grahame's History of the United States of North America. Criticizes the Saturday Review for having slighted that work.

Discusses an exposed case of forgery involving supposed manuscripts of Blaise Pascal and the mathematician Michel Chasles.

Thanks EQ for report of [Alexander von] Humboldt's centenary and the photographs from Henry Morton [see EQ's 1869-9-26]. Discusses neglect of James Grahame's work in England.

Takes it that the expense of the Sinai Expedition so far carried out has been met from the funds. Sees no objections to a continuation of the expedition.

Continues to rail against the imposition of the metric system in India; argues against any change in the British sovereign coin.

Is working on a compilation of the measures of double stars. If [Rudolf] Wolf's period of 11.11 years is correct, why should 1810-11, a minimum, mark the first observations of solar spots?

Thanks for the gift of a sonnet; JH too much in figures to allow the muse to repay the gift.

Discusses methods of diminishing the effect of a ship's rolling and pitching on a person on a cot or chair on the ship.

Explains cause of DS's double vision. Suggests corrective lenses [diagrams].