R.S.L. selecting foreign members. Asks JH's opinion of a number of foreign scientists and also his opinion of what he, as foreign secretary, should do in this matter.

[S. J. A. Compton,] Lord Northampton will resign as president of R.S.L. ES discusses proposed changes in office of president, and asks JH to consider taking the office under the newly proposed changes.

Sends own article on magnetic surveys at sea. Requests comments. Discusses foreign distribution of star catalogues approved by the council and election of foreign members of R.S.L.

Describes R.S.L. Council meeting regarding succession of presidency. Most members wish to nominate JH to serve for a few years. ES urges JH to accept. [Marked 'private.']

Discusses ES's visit with Charles Lyell to try inducing JH to accept nomination for R.S.L. presidency. In light of JH's earlier letter, ES did not propose JH as nominee, but others regard JH's nomination as exceedingly important.

Sorry JH will not undertake R.S.L. presidency. Discusses meteorology and magnetism. [J. D.?] Robinson's instrument works well.

Sends astronomical observations of the Rattlesnake received from Mr. Dayman.

Will correct his contribution to JH's scientific manual. Discusses [Humphrey] Lloyd's apparatus for measurement of total force.

Sorry JH's family has influenza. Encloses letter from [John] Lefroy regarding actinometers.

Sends meteorological register contracts from [John] Lefroy. Discusses observations of aurora in North America. Discusses recent magnetic disturbances and similar disturbances in 1841 and 1847.

Members of R.S.L. committee to study Kew observatory. Copies of correspondence between ES and W. R. Birt. If Birt is retained, expenses of Kew observatory will exceed money granted by B.A.A.S. Before applying for government assistance, JH and G. B. Airy must agree on plan.

JH may meet with Kew committee in London on 16 June. William Mann will probably replace late T. G. Taylor in Madras. Suggests that W. R. Birt replace Mann at Cape of Good Hope. Position at Kew would not be suitable to Birt.

William Mann's application to replace late T. G. Taylor [at Madras observatory] has been approved by H.E.I.C. B.A.A.S. cannot offer good position at Kew to W. R. Birt. Goals of B.A.A.S. committee to report on Kew observatory. Please return [T. R.] Robinson's account of William Parson's telescope.

Encloses letter to ES from Mr. Hutton.

Discusses reduction of observations, continuation of various observatories, and the necessary financial arrangements for each. JH's actinometer instructions were misunderstood at Toronto.

Hopes JH can attend council meeting on 7 July. Thinks Kew Observatory could be made an important magnetic and meteorological station.

Hoping JH receives [Francis] Ronalds's and [W. R.] Birt's statements regarding Kew Observatory. Asks JH to bring William Parson's note to their [JH and ES's] upcoming meeting. Discusses finances of Kew.

Meeting of B.A.A.S. committee with JH. JH's report was included with extracts from Francis Ronalds's report.

Deliberations on continuance of Kew Observatory, and ES's willingness to step aside for another member. Successes and failures of B.A.A.S. objectives at Kew and prospective goals for future. Increasing government involvement in science.

[John] Murray is wrong; ES has no more manuscripts. Admiralty orders many ships to perform meteorological observations. Old R.S.L. meteorological forms out of date.