Relates CH's and Arthur [Gordon?]'s conversation yesterday with Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon] on how to enable JH to resign without public 'mess.' Three weeks ago, Aberdeen would have accepted JH's resignation and appointed William Henry Barton as Master, but now Aberdeen's successor must decide.

The requests should be made to the Exchequer office [see JH's 1855-2-2]; complains about the incompetence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer [W. E. Gladstone].

Received JH's letter of resignation during ministerial crisis but elected not to present it to Queen Victoria. Send it to GG's successor [H. J. Temple], together with testimony to merits of W. H. Barton as JH's successor. [JH's daughter] Caroline continues well.

Call on CT when convenient.

[Copy in JH's hand of memorial to Treasury from F. R. Brande and Henry Finch. JH marked this copy 'Strictly private....'] Recount improvements that FB and HF have made in Mint operations, but complain that they do not receive the consideration, encouragement, or salary that is due them. [After reading this memorial, JH opened his finished letter (also 21 Feb 1855) to Brande and added a P.S. that led Brande and Finch to withdraw this memorial.]

Regrets to hear of the ill health of JH. Believes that a sea voyage to the Cape would work wonders. The transit circle is in full working order. Comments on some of the work connected with it. Has heard that an accident had occurred to William Parsons' (3rd Earl of Rosse) 6-foot speculum. No news of David Livingstone.

TG volunteers to succeed JH as master of Mint if JH resigns. Willing to replace JH in summers when TG's college duties are suspended. [JH annotation to wife Margaret: '...there are greater fools in the world' than JH.]

Thanks for JH's letter to Mr. McCulloch on JA's behalf. Hopes for permanent appointment.