Protesting about the refusal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh to publish Thomas Brisbane's magnetic observations; hopes it will be reconsidered. Thinks JF's theory on glaciers has good points, but comments on some of its shortcomings.

Is grateful for his letter and photographs. Will send him his paper on glaciers, which he is pleased to see interests him. Thomas Brisbane must be in error about the refusal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh to print his magnetic observations.

Requests papers relative to a preface to the catalogue of [N. L.] Lacaille's stars, so that the catalogue may be printed.

Believes JH expressed support for pension for surviving child of Thomas Henderson. Comments on this, stating his own view that she is already well provided for.

Requests information about actinometers in JF's possession, and provides further information regarding their use.

Hopes to add JF's name to B.A.A.S. Meteorological Committee, and to see JF at Cambridge meeting of the committee.

Accepts JH's invitation to join Magnetical and Meteorological Committee of B.A.A.S. Will see JH at Cambridge next week. T. M. Brisbane's magnetic observations will be published in Transactions [of Royal Society of Edinburgh]. JH was responsible for making these known.

Sends new edition of JF's Travels [through the Alps of Savoy]. Hopes JH will examine the theoretical part.

Thanks JF for second edition of work on the Alps. Praises first edition.

Comments, after delays due to busyness, on JH's queries on the calibration of actinometers and gives results of experiments.

Believes all actinometric measurements made are useless because they did not take into account the rate of expansion of the liquid, which is not constant.

Sympathizes with JH's feelings of regret over actinometer readings. Has procured a new thermometer and carried out experiments toward correction of actinometers.

Asks for details of several actinometers.

Gratitude for gift of JH's Cape Results. Just returned from geological tour of highlands with [Bernhard] Studer from Bern [Switzerland]. Hopes to purchase Madame Witte's 'model of the Moon...for Edinburgh,' if it has not been bought in London. Observed Neptune at Oxford in company with U. J. J. Leverrier, J. C. Adams, and Wilhelm Struve.

Thanks for medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Regarding the possibility of a new edition of JH's Treatise Astr. originally published in Lardner's Cyclopaedia. Has found it very useful for his students.

Comments on JH's Treatise Astr. in the Cabinet Cyclopaedia, mentioning its continued publication, misstatements he wishes to correct, and his addition of A. de Gasparis's newly-discovered planet [Hygeia].

B.A.A.S. and Royal Society of Edinburgh have been approached to apply to the government for finance to send an observer and reflector to the Cape Observatory. Does JH think this advisable, with his knowledge of conditions at the Cape?

Agrees that it would be desirable to make further observations at the Cape, but foresees difficulties, especially liaison with the Astronomer Royal at the Cape.

[Responding to JF's 1849-11-23], JH cautiously discusses various considerations bearing on the idea of sending an astronomer and a large reflecting telescope to the Cape.