Presents, in response to a memorandum from JB, JH's views on such matters as the administration, staffing, and funding of the Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.

Encloses the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the first part of "The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle" [Fossil Mammalia].

Thanks JH for his long and insightful memorandum of 1838-2-17 on the system of Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Accepts many of JH's ideas and requests that JH, after returning to England, present JH's ideas to Lord Glenelg.

In view of the charges directed by Edward Blyth against George R. Gray for gross incivility and discourtesy in discharging his duties as assistant in the zoological department at the British Museum, CD is asked by the Trustees to comment upon his own experience with Gray and to offer his judgment of these charges.

Testifies to the courtesy and helpfulness of George Gray [assistant at the British Museum]. [See 402b.]

Payment of the Smith, Elder & Co. account has been ordered, amounting to the sum of £68.10.10 for the first part of the Zoology.

His work [on vol. 2 of Narrative] is going slowly.

Has no objection to anything in CD’s excellent volume. CD should "entertain no further scruple on that subject".

Due to his impending departure from the Cape he has had little opportunity of seeing DL's son George. Does not think he will be in a position to write a popular article on his work in the Southern Hemisphere yet awhile. Several errors in his Treatise Astr., which he would like to correct.

JH, in preparing to leave Cape, thanks WS for having sent Nautical Almanacs to him there. Discusses motions of a comet appearing to move whimsically, the periodical star alpha Hydrae, other stars, and the re-discovery of Saturn's sixth satellite.

Asks TM to set JH's chronometer and barometer.

[Writing to Charles Grant, Baron Glenelg, British Secretary of State for the Colonies], JH advises on such aspects as the administration, staffing, and the form and content of the instruction at the newly established Government Free Schools at the Cape.

Packing to leave Cape. Desires only furnished lodgings, not new house, for month of May in London. [Letter continues 6 May 1838 on board Windsor :] Becalmed off France. Expect to land in Portsmouth and visit Anstey on way to London.

Final arrangements before JH and family depart for England.

JH is leaving the Cape at an unfortunate time as the Governor has to rely on the support of an unsympathetic party. Comments on the political situation at the Cape. The Herschels have done much good for the Cape since their residence there.

Recommends CD’s paper on "Formation of mould" [Collected papers 1: 49–53; read 1 Nov 1837] be printed in Transactions. Praises it as establishing a new "geological power".

Sends four samples of dust blown on board his ship from the coast of Africa, nearly 400 miles away, during four days in March 1838. Gives careful descriptions and relates the tests he made of it [see Collected papers 1: 200].

Thanks for specimens of [light] 'sensitive paper.' Praises it. JH has handed over all his specimens of photography to R.S.L. Recommends a paper by the chemist Henri Regnault.

No summary available.

Declines Ray Club dinner; too busy with Zoology.

Thanks JSH for presenting his work to Cambridge Philosophical Society.

Asks him to get an answer from W. H. Miller on specimen of crystallised mineral.

Thanks for photographic specimens WT sent. Reports on JH's recent experiments, including some using lenses, in photography; comments on WT's experiments and on the process of patenting.