The weekly register of the general work of the Cape Observatory, including observations, staff matters and items of interest locally. The volume includes the following items:

1. A preface containing an alphabetical index of books; a list of Observatory rules regarding observations; information on the use of the mural circle, transit instrument and other equipment; and details regarding the security of the Observatory.

2. Daily reports of observations made and work carried out at the Observatory, 11 February 1849 - January 1854, including the following:

Material on the Cape Recif Lighthouse, 17 September 1849.

Material on the removal of Bradley's Sector to Greenwich, 24 December 1849.

A copy of a letter to G.B. Airy from the American National Observatory regarding a star catalogue, 10 February 1850.

A note on errors in the British Association Catalogue with regard to observations of southern stars, 1 April 1850.

An extract from 'The Times' of 9 April 1950 in which Mr Hume questions the necessity of the Cape Observatory, 22 July 1850.

Ephemeris of Peterson's Comet, 9-16 September 1850.

An index of twenty new books for the library, 9 December 1850.

A table of the parallax of Alpha Centauri, 16-23 December 1850.

A report on the resignation of the Third Assistant, G.R. Smalley, to take up the Professorship of Mathematics at the South African College, 23 December 1850.

Material on the outbreak of the Xhosa Wars, 6 January 1851.

A copy of a letter from G.B. Airy in reply to T. Maclear's request for a transit circle, 4 August 1851.

Proposals for housing the transit circle, 30 August 1852.

W. Mann's instructions for transporting the transit circle from England, 11 October 1851,

Material on the shipwreck of the Birkenhead Steamer off Donyer Point carrying arms and troops for the Xhosa Wars, 1 March 1852.

An account of the destruction of the Magnetic Observatory by fire, 15 March and 19 July 1852.

Reports on Dr Livingstone, 12 April and 9 May 1852.

A report on the Time Ball, 12 July 1852.

Material on the granting of the new transit circle, 30 August 1852.

Material on Biela's Comet, 22 November 1852.

Material on the Great Comet, 2 May - 13 June 1853.

A copy of a letter from T. Maclear on 'Time Signal for the Shipping and Proposal for its extension', 27 June 1853.

Material on the mapping of the Cape Colony, 25 July 1853.

A letter on the mapping of the Cape Colony, 22 August 1853.

'Observations of a Large Comet', 19 September 1853 - 2 January 1854.

A table of predicted occultations for 1854, compiled December 1853.

3. Loose papers:

Undated tables of declinations from 12 observatories, with systematic corrections.

Sheets of calculations of 'Lalande Observation of Theta' and 'Weisse's Bessel', 1877.

A copy of the weekly register for 2 June - 11 August 1856.

A copy of the weekly register for 18 August 1856 - 25 May 1857.