Happy to hear that [new Sydney mint] is going well. JH confined with painful illness since Mar. 1855; still unable to walk or stand upright without support. Aluminium may be used in coins, but JH doubts it will replace iron in pots and pans. War is ended, but people worry about further Russian aggression.

Sad to hear of JH's suffering and retirement from Mint. Describes production rates, problems, equipment, personnel, and quality of gold at Sydney mint. Starting an observatory. G. B. Airy promises to send astronomer. New South Wales legislature is not friendly to scientific research. Describes Australian society.