Miss Pattle and C. R. Prinsep, Secretary of Government Proceedings, are going to Cape of Good Hope and will bring JP's Journals of the Asiatic Society to JH.

"I could think of nothing for days after your lesson on coral reefs, but of the top of submerged continents. It is all true, but do not flatter youself that you will be believed, till you are growing bald, like me, with hard work & vexation at the incredulity in the world."

Cannot send the Brisbane list by the end of the week. Will not expect J. K. Gibbs until the cart is finished. Returns solar spots.

Sending a letter via Capt. Basil Hall. Is surprised JH did not mention the starry showers of 12 Nov. in his last letter, D. F. J. Arago is investigating them. J. B. Biot has published an extension of [Denison?] Olmsted's theory. Humphrey Lloyd has produced an interesting book on the undulatory theory. What measure does JH employ for the force of the wind? Has got William Whewell's anemometer. Influenza prevalent. William Farish has been succeeded by Robert Willis.

Notes discrepancies between TM's and Thomas Brisbane's observations.

Sends a small dispatch from J. D. Forbes. The barometer seems to have no connection with the weather this winter. Had a snow shower but could see no clouds in the sky. Preparing for the occultation of Mars.

News of family and friends.

Caroline repeats story told to R. W. Darwin of FitzRoy’s feeling of obligation to Captain John White, from whom he gained release to marry Miss O’Brien.

Fanny Biddulph has had a son.

Communicated JH's letter of 30 Sept. [1836] to the Albany Institute. Hopes JH received meteorological register of observation points in U.S., which are increasing in number. Sent meteorological reports to societies and individuals JH requested. Describes barometer and temperature measurements in wells and barometer extremes in great December storm. W. C. Redfield of New York says duration of observation periods recommended by JH is too short.

Regrets having to send the observations on so many sheets; those in red ink will be re-observed. John Steuart has given him a note about spots on the sun. Sends Mr. Stebbing's letter and would like JH's comments when he sees him.

Will be a great reception for JH when he returns. Is working on a theory of probabilities. Francis Baily is the man for mapping the entire heavens. G. B. Airy is to test JH's topsy-turvy observations of Orion.

Thanks JH for drawing of JH's house. Sends drawing of JL's Hartwell Observatory and publications from the observatory.

Interested in Lyell’s address [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 2 (1833–8): 479–523]. Asks what the points are on which CD and Lyell are fully agreed.

Inquires about the paper FitzRoy and CD wrote on missionaries ["Moral state of Tahiti" (1836), Collected papers 1: 19–38].

News of family.

Sending more barometric observations. Interesting articles by S. D. Poisson and D. F. J. Arago. Peculiar crimson light seen in the sky recently. The 'Beagle' will sail in May and will call on JH.

Thanks JH for kindness to C. P. Smyth. Francis Baily re-elected president of R.A.S. W. S. Stratford prints a comet ephemeris.

Has just given a paper [on "Sand tubes"] at Cambridge Philosophical Society and exhibited some specimens. It went well, with Whewell and Sedgwick taking an active part.

Herschel thinks 6000–odd years since the creation not nearly long enough to explain the separations from a single stock.

Received JH's letter with pleasure; delayed replying as hoping to comment. Theories have been shown to Charles Lyell, William Whewell, etc. Gives his own comments on JH's theory. Installed Whewell as President of the Geological Society. Pleased JH is to become a subscriber to RM's book, which moves slowly along. Received a collection of fossils from Fernando Po recently.

Still has not heard from JH. Has put much effort into horary observations of solstices and equinoxes. Sends JH articles by AQ on temperatures of earth. Will send magnetic observations.

Has been very busy observing so has had little time to spare for writing letters. Remarks on the recent star catalogues which he has received. Would FB bring Capt. J. A. Lloyd's case to Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Sun spots. Meteors in N. America and those at the Cape.

No summary available.

CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.