Reports observations with WS's equatorial during Bedford visit. Packs instruments for voyage. Pleased that Thomas Maclear will take post of Astronomer Royal at the Cape Observatory.

Very impressed after meeting W. R. Dawes and discussing double stars with him. Asks JH to send Gamma Virginis observations from Cape.

Unable to send Gamma Virginis observations because papers are packed. Declines offer of WS's transit circle for use at Cape.

Describes voyage to Cape as being uneventful. 20-ft. reflector operating since late February; has already examined much of the southern sky. Believes the Milky Way is not equidistant from the earth at all points; and that the earth is between Canopus and Alpha Centauri. Amazed at clusters such as Omega Centauri. Describes richness of Magellanic Clouds. Details progress in erecting instruments. Sends observations of Alpha Crucis, which he believes is a double star.

Sends observations of the double stars, which JH had suggested.

Thanks JH for Gamma Virginis observations, which are finally in accord with his. Sends observation of the double stars JH suggested watching. Works with Richard Sheepshanks. Francis Baily delivers details on Edinburgh meeting of philosophers. Sends news from Niccolo Cacciatore, who has returned to the Observatory in Naples.

Discusses contribution of WS's son, C. P. Smyth, as Thomas Maclear's assistant. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet, Gamma Virginis, other celestial objects, and the use of a double image micrometer.

Adds clock to telescope, enhancing distance measuring power. Search for Halley's Comet begins. Reports double star data; observes nebulae in JH's Catalogue of Nebulae. R.A.S. location moved to Somerset House. Quarrel between James South and Richard Sheepshanks being arbitrated.

C. P. Smyth appointment as assistant to Thomas Maclear pleases JH. Suggests method of determining right ascension of double stars with collimating telescope. Sends brochure proposing worldwide meteorological observations.

Describes factors that led to C. P. Smyth's appointment to Cape. Uses rock crystal prism for double star observations. Continues observing JH's nebulae with equatorial clock. Approves of proposal for worldwide meteorological observations; will distribute brochures.

Details sighting of Halley's Comet; sends chart of dates, times, right ascension, and declination. Receives letter from Niccolo Cacciatore, which 'gives hopes of a new planet.'

C. P. Smyth arrived at Cape on 10 October; Thomas Maclear seems pleased with his work. Asks WS to continue observing Gamma Virginis; JH has observed it only as a single star in recent attempts. Thanks WS for distributing meteorological brochures. George Eden visits and will send meteorological observations from India.

Presents JH with R.A.S. medal for Catalogue of Nebulae.

Reports conflicting observations of Gamma Virginis. Uses JH's method of measuring double star positions.

Thanks WS for having accepted his medal from R.A.S. Finds that the [Thomas] Brisbane Catalogue contains insufficient right ascension information, complicating reduction observations. Observed Halley's Comet.

JH letter on Gamma Virginis read at R.A.S. meeting. Niccolo Cacciatore appointed to new position at Palermo Observatory, where he plans to sell the Almanack. Many R.A.S. members experimenting with telescopic lenses.

Plans study of Joseph Bianchi's New Sidereal Catalogue. Sends Bianchi excerpt describing double star of Gamma Virginis.

Thanks JH for kindness to C. P. Smyth. Francis Baily re-elected president of R.A.S. W. S. Stratford prints a comet ephemeris.

Sends early nineteenth-century astronomical observations. Francis Baily receives £500 from Parliament to enlarge stellar catalogue. Otto Struve's observations of Gamma Virginis agree with JH's.

Suggests Moyes Publishing Company to JH. Observes Encke's Comet. Visited by W. R. Hamilton and John Russell.