Forwards letter to HR from [L.-F.-C.?] Breguet, who desires to construct a metallic thermometer for JH. HR requests quick reply from JH.

Suggests the name 'Clio' for asteroid No. 59. Gives a list of proposed names for asteroids.

Is grateful for the ample list of suggested names for asteroids that JH has sent. Outlines the difficulties over the name 'Clio'. Would prefer 'Olympia.'. Believes 'Pseudo-Daphna' will be called 'Galatea'.

Requests JH sign certificate for [W. F.] Hook. Asks JH to forward it to William Whewell for his signature.

JH's 'scientific activity' has long been at zero, but JH has of late been preparing a lecture on the sun and translating Homer's Iliad.

Has signed certificate for [W. F.] Hook. [See ES 1861-12-5] Congratulates ES [on presidency of R.S.L.]. JH on B.A.A.S. balloon committee. Proposes design for metallic thermometer.

Recalls mutual friends, Georges Cuvier and Mary Somerville. Gratitude for JP's kindness in Rome to JH's daughter, Margaret Louisa, now deceased. Asks JP to assist newlyweds David and Mary Power, who are caught in Rome by David's failing health and need advice on medical treatment. [Annotation by Constance Anne (Herschel) Lubbock identifies couple as David Power and bride Mary Lipscompe. David died soon after, and his widow married JH's son John.]

A metallic thermometer will be constructed at Kew Observatory to test JH's proposal. Experiments on Index of Friction of gases to be resumed at Kew.

Would like JH's approval to submit the enclosed certificate on behalf of JH's son. No. 29 of the Record of Recreative Science contains a good article on Light by E. J. Lowe, who mentions JH's name.

Due to poor health of both JH and his wife, Margaret, JH writes to decline an invitation to dinner.

Grateful for JL's support of JH's son [?] for R.A.S. membership, but JH advised [son] not to apply until [son] had made some significant contribution to astronomy worthy of membership. [JH annotation: How different from today, when election is so easy.]

Pleased ES and [Balfour?] Stewart like plan for metallic thermometer. Suggests way to obviate effect of pendulous movement of the suspended weight.

Describes objections to proposed metallic thermometer. Describes another simpler design for a metallic thermometer. Will ask [William] Sykes to consider HR's design.

Asks WW's opinion of JH's hexameter translation of the opening section of Homer's Iliad. Comments on the value of hexameter verse.

Thanks for his note and explanations. Comments on the variation in the height of the Caspian Sea at various periods.

Thanks for sending vol. 4 of BP's Infinitesimal Calculus and for earlier sending vols. 1 and 2. Praises parts of vol. 4. Will another volume be forthcoming?

Is grateful for JH's expression of sympathy over the death of his wife. One of his daughters has left on a ship for England. Sends a work by S. Salomon describing the visit of Prince Alfred to the Cape.

Has not been able to obtain a return of the rainfall for Bassenthwaite or Seathwaite, but sends one for Keswick, which may be of interest. Was at Keswick on 25 Nov. and has never seen heavier rain than fell on that day. Children are well. Sad loss to the Queen and nation.

Hopes the almanac he sent him has arrived safely. Intends it for the use of country schoolteachers. Has found a new and easy proof for one of W. R. Hamilton's theorems.

Thanks for the copy of JH's Physical Geography. Comments on some of the sections of this work, especially the Weald. Sends his own paper on the 'Permian.'