Favors C. F. Gauss's theory of two magnetic poles, provided it satisfies the data. Office of the Artillery at Woolwich plans to 'furnish a set of instruments by private subscription.' Suggests a staff officer be appointed for the correspondence between observatories. Worries that the East Indies observatory will fail.
Dublin University is available on 2 July for instruction of the officers to be employed in the magnetic observatories. Suggests a note be sent to the R.S.L. stating that the changes in instrumentation are only slight modifications.
Supports furnishing a wooden building at St. Helena despite the high temperatures of the tropical climate. Considers the expenses involved.
Suggests JH include in his report a discussion of the 'dividing line of the positive and magnetic fluids' and 'separating line between the northern and southern intensities.' Presents C. F. Gauss's ideas on this topic. Suggests a trip plan for James Ross in order to obtain absolute measures of magnetic intensity on the globe.
Relays the opinions of a returning officer from St. Helena that a wooden building need not be built there.
Has presented the draft of the report to [T. R.] Robinson, [Charles] Wheatstone, and [J. F.] Daniell. Points out mistakes in the report. Remarks that the dipping needle has greatly improved over the years, thus increasing instrumental accuracy. Encloses Humphrey Lloyd's contribution to the report.
States he has received the list of instruments and their prices sent by JH.
Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd. Anticipates Lloyd's arrival. Worries he will not be ready with the necessary forms before James Ross sets sail. Includes many calculations.
Reports that the ships to be used for James Ross's voyage will not be available for a week and that Humphrey Lloyd is busy preparing instructions. Proposes that the ships receive their own sets of instruments.
Accepts JH's dinner invitation, regretting that James Ross is unable to attend. Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd.
Asks JH whether he presented to the Council of the R.S.L. the resolution of the Meteorological Committee regarding references made by the 'Colonial Office, Trinity[?] Board, etc.'
Supports JH's idea of having one simultaneous observation each day. Suggests that there might be two a day. Has suggested to Humphrey Lloyd that hourly observations take place once a fortnight. Says Lloyd wishes to speak about supplies.
Explains that the purpose of his trip with Humphrey Lloyd is to 'establish the cooperation of the continental magnetic observatories.' Desires that the trip be authorized by the R.S.L.
Encloses a letter from Humphrey Lloyd. Sees no problem in adding an officer to the staff of each observatory, if necessary. Remarks on a cheap but fragile magnetometer.
Is grieved by the R.S.L. report, which supports a 'voyage of Discovery to the Antarctic' rather than 'research in Physical Sciences in the Southern Hemisphere.' Speaks of the discoveries made by expeditions to the Antarctic, including great changes in magnetic variations.
Admiralty is dissatisfied at still being responsible for the Van Diemen's Land Observatory. Suggests responsibility be shifted to the Ordinance. Treasury will no longer finance the building of observatories when other buildings are available. Describes new procedures whereby officers observing in the colonies must present colonial governors with proper letters upon request.
Anticipates Humphrey Lloyd's arrival at London this night. Announces that the pendulum experiments are finished. Interested in inspecting the magnetic instruments in preparation for the Antarctic journey. Plans JH's visit.
Disappointed not to have received a response from JH to his invitation for a visit. Goes ahead with plans.
[A. T.] Kupffer, [Humphrey] Lloyd, and ES will meet [C. F.] Gauss at later date. Desires cooperation with Russia. Birmingham good for B.A.A.S., but the meeting lacks distinguished scientists.
Announces Charles Riddell's departure for Canada and his own trip schedule in Germany. Has read JH's report. Informs JH that ES has been made a member of the Committee. Glad that [Vernon] Harcourt's speech covered magnetic observatories. Eager to promote the public image of the fixed observatories. The translation committee was reappointed and includes JH, but ES will spare JH any work.