Pleased to hear of the good health of JH and family. Everyone hopes JH will make new discoveries in the physiological and anatomical fields as a result of his observations. Etna's crater is slowly changing. A fireball has been observed; also Halley's Comet as correctly predicted by Niccolo Cacciatore.
Sends the original of the barometer observations as he cannot spare the time to copy them. Had hoped to have the Brisbane stars ready on Monday. Comet was invisible last night.
Has installed his astrometer to help judge star magnitudes; also makes a comparison of barometric observations with those of TM.
Dr. Andrew Smith called yesterday. Has succeeded in establishing a postal system for the Observatory. The comet was faint last evening. Had a parcel from the Admiralty but no word about the tide gauge. Sends the Simon's Bay observations, also the P. P. Barraud chronometer, which loses time at a great rate.
Sending some equipment back and forth, and some astrometer readings.
Following up on an earlier communication, JH expresses to CG (Lord Glenelg) his views on a variety of areas, e.g., curriculum, discipline, administration, and methods of teaching for the Government Free Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Arranges to have tea with TM tomorrow at the Royal Observatory.
Returns the hourly observations of the last equinox. There will be a meeting of the Institute tomorrow. Has removed the silver lines from the mural circle and replaced them by Bermuda cobwebs. Would like to insert these in JH's micrometer. Has been busy calculating a large table of precessions in R.A. Capt. Alexander should desist from newspaper writing.
Purchased property near Feldhausen. Will JH sell strip of land between HW's property and main road?
Comments on JH's proposals to James Adamson regarding education at the Cape. Criticizes Francis Bacon's philosophy. Plans to devote his efforts to philosophy and has begun a history of the sciences. Describes his work on the tides. Richard Jones's professorship at the East India College is in jeopardy.
Encloses Annual Report of the R.A.S. Hopes he has been amused by the French pamphlets on JH's discoveries relating to the moon. Capt. George Back will be proceeding this year in the Terror to investigate the discoveries of J. C. Ross and John Franklin on the N. coast of America. Read JH's last note about the comet to the Society [R.A.S.?].
Gives JH an estimate for the value of his property [Feldhausen] at £50 per acre.
Sends the meteorological observations for March; unable to send any magnetic observations as he has been unwell. The Observatory escaped serious damage during the hurricane. Has been observing the disappearance of the comet. Comments on nebulae seen near its tail.
Letters from W. H. Smyth. Notes on Halley's Comet and possible planet sighting.
The Academy has received JH's 'Instructions for making ... meteorological observations in South Africa. Thanks him for this.
Sends observations of several more standard stars, and of the comet.
Believes his acquaintance with the comet is drawing to a close. A 30" transit was placed in the meridian last night. Returns the Pulkova observations. Believes the bad weather may have upset Lady Herschel's journey.
Advice on how best to survive business world of Canton. [Letter continues from Hout Bay:] Family finances. [Letter continues 9 May at Feldhausen:] Asks help in developing JH's 'Phonetic Alphabet' of Chinese language. Considers writing book for Chinese. Comments on Chinese literature and culture. JH has changed shipping agents in Cape Town. Poem by JH.
Since his arrival he has explored the suburbs and found some pretty parts. Thinks it would appeal to JH. Houses are rather expensive but could find one to his liking. Will inquire about the landing of his instruments.
About observations of Halley's Comet. [In postscript dated 1836-5-3], describes further observations of the comet.