Pleased to receive JH's letter, which he hastens to answer to remove any misconceptions regarding the equatorial. Comments on some of his observations of stars. Received [T. R.] Robinson's proposal for a large reflector. William Mann has just finished 8 years of tide gauge measures. Grieves to hear of the illness of W. R. Dawes. [George] Smalley's financial affairs have come to a crisis. Convict question has been settled; they are to be sent to Van Diemen's Land.