Correspondence with, primarily, the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the Royal Institution, with related papers. The material includes pieces from 'The Morning Chronicle' concerning the Great Exhibition, crime in Ireland and tubular bridges; the proceedings of the British Association; the rules of the Smithsonian Institute; the Italian journal 'Corrispondenza Scientifica'; a report on the Neath Philosophical Society; the Royal Panopticon of Science and Art prospectus; papers concerning the Ipswich Museum; questions and courses about hydrostatics and astronomy at the University of Edinburgh; and Airy's lecture for the Royal Institution on terrestrial magnetism. The correspondence deals with the calling and contents of meetings and lectures, and features F. Beaufort, J. Phillips, W.R. Birt, R.I. Murchison, F. Ronalds, J.D. Forbes, E. Sabine, D. Brewster, M. Faraday, the Duke of Northumberland, J. Glaisher, S.H. Christie, C. Brooke, C.P. Smyth, R. Owen and J. Couch.