Acknowledges with pleasure JH's kind note. Owes much to JH's book in the chapter on experimental methods. JH will doubtless find Auguste Comte's book worth reading. Would like a note of any errors in JM's book.

Urges JH to study a temporary index made by William Herschel that contains observations about types of zodiacal light.

Wishes JH had added his name at the head of the list of subscribers. Thinks he is being too cautious. AJ is responsible for the whole of the work though it appears under two authors.

Has been able to obtain some deodar seeds from Ireland. Sends them, together with some seeds of the Himalayan cypress. Hopes they will prove a success.

Describes a particularly brilliant aurora, which JH observed from Collingwood on the night of 6 May.

Thanks JH for earlier letter. Discusses JH's work on chemical action of light, with which he is familiar. Sends some papers for JH's comments.

Has received observations of the comet from C. P. Smyth, which he may like to communicate to the R.A.S. Comments on the deplorable state of the Cape Town [?] Observatory.

Sends comet observations from W. S. Jacob. Obtains 'another excellent epoch of Gamma Virginis.'

Regarding Captain [Charles ?] Gray's letter. Robert Peel has written asking Francis Baily and W. H. Miller to do the 'Standards.'

Regarding FB's paper on the revision of the boundaries of the constellations.

Concerned that the Colonial governors were not provided with copies of the Standards Commission Report; will not be able to get to Switzerland this year.

Describes siege [of Montevideo].

Reports on appearance and habits of horses and cattle of Falkland Islands; wild rabbits and pigs. Geology of the Falklands, especially of West Island. Discusses supposed discovery of coal. Has sent fossil specimens to CD.

This letter will be despatched to JDH's sister Elizabeth on arrival at St Helena. JDH is glad to hear that Elizabeth's health has improved. JDH tells how the last Christmas was spent in a dense fog near Elephant Island. The HMS 'Erebus' spent January in the pack ice working against strong currents & tides. Crossing to the HMS 'Terror' over ice bergs on foot proved treacherous. JDH spent his time drawing & describing plants, the results are now sent to their father, William Jackson Hooker, through Captain Beaufort. Discusses Elizabeth's visit to the Richardson's house & his correspondence with Mrs Richardson. Is glad that Elizabeth is continuing with her music & has learnt to sing. JDH misses music though he is not knowledgeable about it. Dr Sinclair is under the impression that JDH likes the song 'The days when we went gypsying' but he generally prefers old airs to modern ballads. He specifically mentions Ariel's song from Shakespeare's TEMPEST & the sea songs: 'Rule Britannia', 'Yer Mariners of England' & the songs their sister Mary used to play. He declares sacred music to be the best, especially Handel's 'Messiah', he mentions some other pieces & gives many examples of operas he admires. JDH prefers older waltzes e.g. those of Mozart & Strauss & favours marches over quadrilles. JDH thanks Elizabeth & their Aunt Palgrave for sending him their sketches. He commiserates at the death of Lady Callcott who painted a scene of Rio de Janeiro harbour, where JDH will soon be, & illustrated a handbook of Westminster Abbey. JDH mentions acquaintances: the Christys, Carswell & Thomson (recently released from captivity in Afghanistan). JDH is now on his way home via Ascension, where he will eat turtle, & the Azores. JDH anticipates Sir John Franklin will return home if Wilmot is to be Governor of Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania]. Mentions a review of Mrs Rigby's work. Reports of the expedition in the HAMPSHIRE TELEGRAPH contained errors attributed to Lieutenant McMurdo.

Recommends a method for destroying wasps' nests. Refers him to the Gardener's Chronicle for information on flowering Cape bulbs. Has no idea where he can obtain deodar seeds. Would like to see his paper on the influence of light on vegetable colors.

Capt. FitzRoy has read GAM’s letter to CD regarding an appointment for GAM’s son and is disposed to help, but has resolved to make no appointments until he arrives in New Zealand [as Governor].

JDH writes to his sister Maria Hooker, thanking her for a backlog of letters he received when at Simon's Bay [Simon's Town, South Africa]. Mentions Maria's visit to Dr Richardson at Haslar & his letters to Mrs Richardson going astray. At Cape Town JDH saw Baron Ludwig, who gave JDH a box with disappearing lid for Maria. Ludwig will send Elizabeth, JDH's other sister, some 'embroidery work of the Hottentots' [Khoikhoi]. JDH got no shells [for Maria] at Simon's Bay, he was promised a harp shell but sailed before receiving it, the species is the same as sent to their father, William Jackson Hooker, by Mr Telfair from Mauritius. Mrs Helps or the Wyldes may give JDH some shells at St Helena. Mr Helps is a chaplain whose daughter drowned on the 'Reliance'. JDH encourages Maria in her pursuit of singing & drawing & wishes his own drawing skills were better. Mentions the ATHENAEUM'S good review of their Uncle Francis Palgrave's HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN NORTHERN ITALY. JDH prefers the ATHENAEUM to the LITERARY GAZETTE though the latter takes more notice of the Ross Antarctic Expedition. Has read about Joan of Arc, Tribune Rienzi, the Duke of Sutherland & agricultural chemistry in the QUARTERLY REVIEW & about British, French, American relations & the slave trade in the EDINBURGH REVIEW. He was also interested in an account of glaciers, having lived so long amongst the ice, but was less impressed by the views on education & a review of Moore's works. JDH now has only one 'messmate', there are advantages & disadvantages to the reduced number. There are few animals left on board, only sheep & goats. JDH had a kitten & two rabbits from the Falkland islands as pets, the kitten & one rabbit have died but he is bringing the remaining rabbit home for Elizabeth. JDH will soon be home to tell his family & friends about his travels, but fears he has got very little from the 'howling wilderness' of 'the South' except cold fingers & does not think another expedition will ever go there.

Francis Beaufort to publish comet information; also wants JH's opinion as to what data should be sent to Cape Observatory. James South will lecture at Royal Institution. South's requests for several historical astronomical instruments refused.

Regarding JH's answer to his own paper on the revision of the boundaries of the constellations.

Hopes that JH will maintain the road from the canals to Hawkhurst as SM possesses a right of way over it.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that he is sending him some bird skins, through Lieutenant Matson of HMS 'Waterwitch'. They were collected by Lieutenant Oakley of the HMS 'Erebus' & are to be shared between them. JDH has more private collections to send home by first opportunity. By the ship 'Queen' JDH sent letters to his mother & sisters via Captain Beaufort. He left letters for his father at Simons' Bay [Simon's Town, South Africa] to be delivered by the yacht 'Waterwitch'. WJH's St Helena Correspondent, Bennett, & his widowed mother have the best garden on the island. Captain [James Clark] Ross intends to suggest JDH for promotion, along with Lyall, he proposes that JDH continue in Naval service to serve only on scientific expeditions as a naturalist. JDH explained that he would prefer to get a job on land & expected to be employed by WJH [at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew] but would not turn down a certain promotion given that he has not yet got a definite alternative. He would not want to enter 'ordinary service' or to go on any Government Expedition lasting longer than a year. Ross also intends to apply for a grant to publish the natural history of the voyage & wants the Navy to give JDH half pay whilst he prepares the botany section. Explains some changes that mean JDH will not have to pass the navy boards to qualify for promotion because of his diploma from Edinburgh. If given the opportunity to go on a short Navy expedition as naturalist JDH would take it. JDH is sending WJH moss drawings through the Hydrographer. The 'Erebus' is preparing to do some very deep sea soundings. JDH asks WJH to send his apologies to William Burnett for not sending him any collections, JDH is only allowed to send specimens to official government depots but will give Burnett or Henslow a set after publication. The Ross Antarctic expedition goes next to Ascension then Rio de Janeiro to set up observatories & JDH expects to be home sometime in Sep.