Explains wages of Mint workers doing piece work. Discourages plan to pay equal wages in all departments. Policy for promotions. Problem of gold ingots of non-standard weight and alloy being imported by Bank of England.
Next meeting of Cambridge [University] Commission will be on 13 Aug.
Describes ship Earl of Aberdeen and son William's departure [for Scotland]. JH got lost returning from London Docks; describes squalid neighborhoods. Visited Elizabeth Baily, who is ill, and Mrs. Stewart, who is composed and well. J. C. Stewart and Rose Stewart are both ill. University Commission is finishing its report. Attitude toward dissenters is more liberal that JH expected. MH's concertina lessons with Mrs. Jones.
Son Alexander has recovered and went with his brother John to Clapham School today. Will send J. F. L. P. Maclear's parcel to ship Meander. J. M. Cameron sent her translation of Part II of Dr. Heinemann's '[Pialiss?] van Actevelde.'
Plans date and time for first ascent of balloon experiment. WS's daughter has fallen in love with JH's son William.
MH's birthday. Country needs bad harvest or expensive war to counteract 'monstrous plethora of gold' accumulated in England. Americans calling for naval war with England.
Encloses the last gazette of the Princess. Seem to be prospering. Brother-in-law is off to Australia in the Great Britain.
MH's illness. Note from son Alexander at Clapham Grammar School. Martha [?] sends purse for MH's birthday. Balloon ascended to 19,000 feet yesterday with Charles Green, landed near Cambridge.
CH's news that Mrs. Jones is with Margaret Herschel relieves JH's anxiety. Questions treatment of Mr. Wolf's horse.
Approves JH's action in transferring £2000 of half crowns to Bank [of England]. Will restrain Commissariat demand for silver coins until present pressure from Bank for coinage is over. Instructions for colonial coinage are obsolete; only new coins should be sent overseas. Plan to produce reserve stock of coins for Commissariat. [JH annotation: calculates minimum reserve stock.]
JH must deal with difficulty concerning Mr. Forbes, who will be foolish not to retire instead of letting case go to the Treasury. Work of current month is excellent.
Has found another planet [Fortuna]; gives readings. Finds that the famous eclipse of Thales took place in 585 B.C., not 610 B.C., as stated by Francis Baily and Mr. Altmann.
All Cambridge University Commissioners, including JH, have approved report. Adam Sedgwick will finalize it with Bishop of Chester [John Graham] tomorrow. Board will meet on 24 Aug. to review report.
Permission granted for issue of £50,000. Please return CT's note to JH instructing that only new coins be sent to Colonies.
Send bond that secures Peter Stewart's debt to JH; insurance company needs it. Let Mr. Wolf and Mr. Parkhurst arrange transfer of horse. Richard Jones seems well but complains about his feet. Forgot to mail Parkhurst's letters.
Has been examining and sorting all Francis Baily's correspondence with a view to its preservation. Suggests Greenwich as a suitable repository for most of it. Will be returning JH's letters for his selection of important letters to be preserved.
Thanks him for the testimonial for his son who has recently died, leaving two children unprovided for. Can he assist with a place at Christ's Hospital for one?
Asks advice about investments. Received photographs from John [?].
Difficult to accept C.'s [daughter Caroline's?] choice. JH had other hopes for her. Mr. Wolf's mare is beautiful and well trained. Instructed Mrs. Wolf to meet both trains today. Leaves rest to MH. Five major issues at Mint and University Committee take up all of JH's time. Will dine at Lady Bryant's tomorrow. Railroad investments. Send Peter Stewart's bond quickly.
Recalls ghost story told by Louisa. Answers question about primate hands. Recommends study of mathematics in order to understand art. Regards to [Mary C.] Lipscombe.