Heard ES recommended JH write an article for Edinburgh Review on terrestrial magnetism. Asks what he should read to write this article. Photographs ES sent of sun not promising.

Asks JH to read ES's publications for the R.S.L. proceedings concerning colonial magnetic observations. Wishes JH could see R.S.L.'s recent accomplishments in magnetism.

Willing to write article if Quarterly [Review] will publish it, if he may take his time writing, and if ES will provide aid regarding meteorology and magnetism.

Glad JH is reviewing advancement of science by R.S.L. members. Disappointed that little was accomplished in certain areas where more was expected.

Thanks ES for receipt of information about magnetic curves and the work of [A. D.] Bache. JH is glad to hear ES is back to active work again, but JH says he is too ill to go to the B.A.A.S. meeting [in Aberdeen].

Sends section X and earlier paper on Kew and Nertschinsk disturbances, which supply key to theory of magnetic disturbances.

[Extract] Learned that JH was appointed by R.S.L. to committee to cooperate with B.A.A.S. to promote continuance of terrestrial magnetism survey. Asks ES to send committee summary of results already obtained and ES's opinion of how best to conduct future observations.

JH's improved health would allow him, if asked, to chair the Chemical Section at the B.A.A.S meeting. Notes that JH, G. B. Airy, William Whewell, and George Peacock have been appointed to a committee to cooperate with the B.A.A.S. committee dealing with the continuation of terrestrial magnetism observations.

Is glad to sign certificate. Complains about tendency of Alexander von Humboldt, whose volume Mrs. Sabine is translating, to ignore other scientists' work.

Discusses ellipticity and results of [G. B.] Airy and [F. W.] Bessel. Also, [Alexander von] Humboldt's magnetic results.

Replies to specific requests by committee for summary of benefits from research in terrestrial magnetism and meteorology and for ES's opinion on continuance of observatories. [JH annotation: Routing list to G. B. Airy, George Peacock, and William Whewell.]

Sends proofs of editor's notes from vol. 4 of [Elizabeth J. Sabine's] translation of Alexander von Humboldt's] Cosmos. Assumes that JH and magnetic committee members all have copies of 'Introduction' to vol. 3 of Toronto observations. Managed to clear up 'mystification' in J. B. Biot's account of pendulum experiments.

ES's paper on magnetic observatories in colonies is same as 'Introduction' to vol. 3 of Toronto observations. Publisher has delayed [Elizabeth J. Sabine's] translation of vol. 4 of Cosmos; please send JH's copy of 'Editor's Notes' to other members of magnetic committee. J. B. Biot intentionally subordinated English pendulum experiments to French experiments, and Alexander von Humboldt was misled.

Must hold to 1/290 as measure of ellipticity. Committee agrees to recommend continuance of magnetic observations if JH will continue to do what he has done in the past.

Current activities at magnetic observatories at Cape of Good Hope, Hobart [Tasmania], and Toronto. Future avenues for research in terrestrial magnetism include correlation with sunspot cycles, annual seasons, parallels of latitude, and lunar position. Urges establishment of many more observing stations. [JH annotation: Routing list to G. B. Airy, George Peacock, and William Whewell.]

Describes in detail proceedings of a committee meeting, particularly noting remarks made about ES and stressing committee's wish to see evidence of progress.

Forwards report, just received, of three years of lunar diurnal variation at Cape of Good Hope. [JH annotation: Routing list to G. B. Airy, George Peacock, and William Whewell.]

Will leave London for several weeks when ES's wife is well. Alexander von Humboldt is pleased with English translation of Cosmos. Preparations for magnetic research in Australia, Bavaria, [British] Guiana, and Mauritius. [JH annotation: Routing list to G. B. Airy, George Peacock, and William Whewell.]

Sends G. B. Airy's remarks concerning ES's last communication. Discusses future of observatories. Asks ES to indicate which observatories he feels are most important.

Prospects for making magnetic and meteorological observations at Peking, which is more desirable than Shanghai or Hong Kong. Hopes for popular review of subject in Quarterly [Review].