Mentions a deletion of part of James Ross's dispatch. Clerk is receiving instructions from Charles Riddell before sailing to the Cape of Good Hope, from which observatory he expects a report in eight months. Asks whether the R.S.L. should request government funding for Cape observations and experiments. Wonders if astronomical and magnetic observers there could assist each other. Requests information on the atmosphere.

JH continues to serve on the committee to supervise and translate foreign scientific memoirs [see JP's 1840-10-19].

Informs JH that the B.A.A.S. has placed him on a committee to conduct experiments by capture balloon on the atmosphere.

JH, G. B. Airy, and Thomas Henderson are appointed to oversee the publication of the reductions of the calculations of N. L. Lacaille's stars. They will have £105 at their disposal.

JH, William Whewell, George Peacock, Humphrey Lloyd, and Edward Sabine are appointed by the B.A.A.S. to study systems of simultaneous magnetical and meteorological observations. They will be granted £100.