Is fully occupied reducing Cape observations, and is producing a star list by magnitudes, resulting in some interesting anomalies.
Outlines suggestions from [Drinkwater-]Bethune for improving 'Report of Standards.' Bethune distinguished Exchequer, Local, and Parliamentary (or National) standards, and preserved unit called 'land chain' equal to twenty yards.
No summary available.
Thinks that there should be more definite instructions for the Directors of the Magnetical Observatories. Has drawn up a paper, which if JH agrees with, can be signed and printed for distribution. Points out the significant parts. There should be a common nomenclature for the weather.
No summary available.
Further comments on the Standards Commission Report [see GA's 1841-7-27].
Replies to [?]'s questions about 'Mr. Bethune's suggestions' concerning terminology to be used for standards of weight and measure. Agrees with G. B. Airy that term 'land' should be used with 'land chain' unit.
Consents to be godfather to WDF’s child.
Sends family news.
No summary available.
Sends elephant tooth from Africa. Suggests it may be interesting in light of his [mistaken] memory of Cuvier’s opinion about tusk brought from Peru by Humboldt.
JDH is sad to hear from his sister Maria, that their sister Mary has been very ill. He hopes that a summer spent in Jersey has improved her health. He has sent her a picture of Madeira. JDH understands their grandfather [Joseph Hooker] is on his death bed. He is sure that their other sister, Elizabeth, will fully recover from her illness. JDH has just heard of their father, Sir William Jackson Hooker's, appointment as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. JDH has not been homesick but thoughts of home & family often distract him from his duties. He must concentrate however as they are to sail south to unknown latitudes again. He is glad that his niece Willielma is thriving. It is midnight & JDH is sitting in the Captain's cabin with a tom cat called Phantome for company. The only sounds the tide & chronometers, as snorers on ship are soon 'cured'. In the cabin there are portraits of the Queen, Washington, Christ & Peter, John Franklin & Captain Parry, also a scene of Weddel's ships in the southern latitudes. There are also books & instruments, clothes & specimens everywhere. There is a large table in the cabin for JDH's particular use & he defends it for himself by leaving his microscope out, which nobody dares move. JDH explains that he was up writing during the night whilst on watch: taking meteorological observations & maintaining the peace on ship. JDH recounts some things he has read in an issue of the ATHENAEUM: an advert for a copy of Greville's Cryptogamic Flora, which JDH asks be bought for McLeay; an account of a cylinder which exploded during an experiment to solidify carbonic acid gas; an extract from 'Dodd's Thoughtage' which mentioned JDH's presence on the Ross expedition. Since writing the above JDH has been on expeditions around the Bay of Islands with Dr Sinclair of the HMS 'Favourite'. Next they sail to Chatham Islands. Mentions some plants have been sent home to the Admiralty via Sydney. Compliments his acquaintance [William] Colenso.