Against changing location of Royal Observatory [from Greenwich], but will defer to opinion of [G. B. Airy] Astronomer Royal. Airy is most competent to judge situation. Still ill.

Sent proof for vol. 2 of St. Helena observations to JH. JH's promised article in Edinburgh Review on progress in science of terrestrial magnetism. Embarrassing delay by government in responding to Prince Albert's request for five-year magnetic survey is resulting in loss of interest among prospective directors. Proposal by Americans to assume leadership of survey in North America. Dutch observatory in Java and Jesuit observatory in Cuba.

Too ill to work on anything besides nebula catalogue. Discusses recent meteorological phenomena, period of solar spots, and great pyramid.

A. D. Bache reports that U.S. will establish magnetic observatory in Washington Territory. ES is preparing instructions for North American survey. Suggests change to JH's proposed article on terrestrial magnetism in Edinburgh Review.

[Government refusal to support five-year magnetic survey] has eliminated services of T. W. Blakiston and Thomas Hull as directors of two magnetic observatories. Instruments for Montreal observatory. Recent magnetic changes in North America. Success of elder B. C. Brodie's eye operation.

Occupied with matters besides magnetism lately. Interest in science of Prince Consort [Albert] is praiseworthy. Discusses several observatories and letter of [T. W.?] Blakiston.

Bibliography of works on terrestrial magnetism published in past four years.

Sent packet to JH last week containing publications listed in ES's bibliography of recent magnetic surveys.

Lists magnetic books received from ES. It will be some time before JH can direct his attention to magnetic issues.

Asks for information concerning the magnetic observations and compilations made in various countries and regions.

Summary of research on terrestrial magnetism in other countries. Will send paper on magnetic storms to JH.

Sends sample sheets of magnetic reductions from continual observations photographed at Kew. Explains reduction formulas. Will send to JH new paper by ES on lunar diurnal variation. Carlo Matteucci reports interest by new government in Naples in reviving meteorological observatory there.

Thanks for declination readings from photograms at Kew. Thinks meteorological observatory on Vesuvius is good idea, but not sure a magnetic one is. Includes two charts of world.

Asks JH to comment on ES's paper, which will be read to R.S.L. on 10 Jan. Corrects errors in two earlier letters to JH. Will adopt 'Photograms' instead of 'Photographs.'

Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.

Like JH, Smyths have been suffering bronchial problems. Urges JH not to give up [see JH's 1861-1-29] plan of JH writing a review on terrestrial magnetisim.

Sends letter regarding meteorology from the Smithsonian to JH. Pleased with magnetic work of [A. D.] Bache at Girard College.

Certain the Colonial Secretary [Duke of Newcastle] would write to governor of Malta on behalf of [William] Lassell.

Encloses letter from [W. P.] Wilson of Melbourne and ES's response for JH's perusal. Discusses [Warren] de La Rue's work on solar photography.

Advises on the construction of the Melbourne reflecting telescope. Thinks [W. P.] Wilson should come to watch construction.