Still has not heard from JH. Has put much effort into horary observations of solstices and equinoxes. Sends JH articles by AQ on temperatures of earth. Will send magnetic observations.

Welcomes JH back to England. Proof that AQ never ceased thinking of JH is that AQ never quit his horary observations. Has sent books to R.S.L. for JH. Has restarted his notices on meteors. Is determining their longitude in relation to Greenwich. [Richard] Sheepshanks brought AQ JH's portrait and bust.

Thanks for two letters. Updates JH on observatories participating in horary observations. Proposes to reduce observations. Sends second part of Brussel's annals and other works. Discusses a phenomenon on 10 August. Mentions several observations of the Aurorae Borealis.

Tells JH about artifact exhibition AS has set up, and about preparation for publication of some astronomical observations.

More about lack of success of exhibition, and about publication of observations [see AS's 1837-8-27].

Will be a great reception for JH when he returns. Is working on a theory of probabilities. Francis Baily is the man for mapping the entire heavens. G. B. Airy is to test JH's topsy-turvy observations of Orion.

Sends a small dispatch from J. D. Forbes. The barometer seems to have no connection with the weather this winter. Had a snow shower but could see no clouds in the sky. Preparing for the occultation of Mars.

Encloses a dispatch from Thomas Henderson, who is very pleased with his work and a word from JH would spur him on. Is more out of touch with science at Edinburgh than JH is at the Cape. Young engineer, J. S. Russell, has idea for swift towing canal boats. Doubtless he has seen Francis Baily's supplement on John Flamsteed.

Further information about boats in canals. Sends proof sheets of the article in question.

Is pleased to hear the Herschels are contemplating their return but regrets it will not be via Rio. J. D. Forbes is progressing well, may be in danger of overwork. Thomas Henderson too is doing good work at the Observatory. Gives results of lunar eclipses of Oct. 1837.

Experiencing 'a daily increase of pain and feebleness.'

Hopes that JH will receive Friedrich Bessel's paper called 'On the Influence of the Irregularities of the Earth on Geodetic Operations, and their Comparison with Astronomical Determinations.'

Has received the samples of mineral waters JH sent from the Cape. His own pamphlet on this is now printed. Would be pleased if JH would obtain some bulbs of massonia lutea for him. Rev. Sandys in the area is an intelligent man.

Introducing his son George, who is to be stationed at the Cape for some time. Would like JH to advise him when necessary. DL has become co-editor with Bulwer Lytton of a new quarterly and would like an article from JH on his work in the Southern Hemisphere. Work on the Cyclopaedia is progressing.

Is grateful for his gift of flower roots; she will take great care of them on her arrival at Sydney.

Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) has still not visited the R.S.L. Will discuss J. A. Lloyd's case with the Duke at the first opportunity. Home news. Will continue to forward pamphlets.

Sending more barometric observations. Interesting articles by S. D. Poisson and D. F. J. Arago. Peculiar crimson light seen in the sky recently. The 'Beagle' will sail in May and will call on JH.

Is sending him a letter of Basil Hall. William Whewell is preparing another paper on the tides and is hoping for data from JH when he returns. Hears that JH will be home in June. Looks forward to seeing him again.

Is grateful for the paper that JH has sent; he is sure it will promote scientific knowledge in New South Wales.

Received JH's collection of African insects, etc. Describes its luminous molluscs, crustaceans, Hottentot fish. Government granted £1500 to [William?] Smith and £1000 to C. R. Darwin to publish discoveries, and £500 to R.A.S. [Elizabeth Ann Waterhouse adds 1.5 pages to Margaret Brodie Herschel about birth of EW's second daughter, deaths in family.]