Responds to ES's request for JH's remarks on the mode of registering and printing the actinometer observations.

Will write to Court of Directors to ask H.E.I.C. to publish observations from Indian observatories. Needs to know where observations are stored, whether Humphrey Lloyd has reduced them, ES's reasons for making this request, best method for preparing data, and probable expense. Must go to Slough tomorrow to do business with former tenant.

[Charles] Lyell, [Roderick] Murchison, and JH will speak at B.A.A.S. [T. R.] Robinson should be notified that he will not need to speak at the meeting. Sees few advantages to combining all existing scientific societies into one.

Has discovered a flaw in the theory of actinometer observations. Realizes that JH's actinometer observations at the Cape may be useless and that observations made at Government and East India observatories should be suspended.

Agrees that H. C. Schumacher and foreign institutions should be added to list of recipients for catalogs. Please submit recommended names to B.A.A.S. Needs addresses of [W. S.] Stratford and Paramatta observatory. Complications in mailing B.A.A.S. catalog to foreign recipients.

Discusses use of 'force' versus use of 'power' in translating [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Says science has outgrown 'force.' [See 1847-10-8]

Regrets to hear of retirement of Spencer Compton (Marquis of Northampton) from R.S.L. presidency. Is grateful that ES and others wish him to hold office temporarily, but regards it as 'impossible.'

Returns Robert Peel's letter. JH has not changed opinion. Will not accept office [of R.S.L. president], even for one year.

No summary available.

Asked [Charles Lyell] to communicate JH's response to ES.

Believes B.A.A.S. should continue to maintain Kew Observatory, but worries about finances. Encloses letter from William R. Birt, whose aid will maintain it for a while.

Agrees with W. R. Birt on advantages of continuing Kew observatory if B.A.A.S. can afford it. Encloses Birt's letter to JH. Understands difficult financial position of B.A.A.S.

Believes Kew Observatory will be ineffective if not private observatory of B.A.A.S., so wishes not to attend meeting to draw up application for government support. Approves, however, of committee revising report.

Supports proposed course of action to procure for [Francis] Ronalds half of the grant and recognition given to [Charles] Brooke alone for similar photographic invention.

Comments favorably on report by W. R. Birt on Kew meteorological observations. Sees special significance concerning atmospheric electricity.

Supports proposal made by C. M. Elliot to execute 'running survey' of India with instruments from observatories.

Thanks to [Francis] Ronalds for supply of paper. Comments on ES's discovery about direction of change in earth's magnetism, relating it to sun's and other electric currents. In this light, discusses auroras. Mentions abolishing of R.S.L. scientific committees and possible successor to John Caldecott.

Thanks Mrs. Sabine for translation of third volume of Alexander von Humboldt's Kosmos. Admires its author. Questions references in notes. Discusses meeting for Wintringham Committee.

Mentions cirrus cloud formations foreshadowing aurora. Is unable to attend R.S.L. committee meetings and concerned that 'outlying' members be able to relay opinions through letters.

Cannot attend meeting of grant committee tomorrow. Favors grant to print observations made at Armagh Observatory by T. R. Robinson, but with conditions. Protests any grants to public institutions. Mr. Forbes's proposition is too premature to act on it.