Correspondence and papers on scientific and general matters, including D. Gilbert's numbers for slide rules and specific gravities; the force of steam; the use of a balloon at the battle of Fleurus, 1794; computations relating to tithe assessments; statistics on Durham collieries; J. Fowler's calculating machine; a report on C. Babbage's calculating machine by J.F.W. Herschel; Airy's thoughts to the Examiner on the Corn Laws, with a graph on the price of wheat; Airy's assessment of Diodorus Sicula's description of Britain; M. Paine's paper defending himself against alleged plagiarism; R. Gardner's unorthodox 'Right Way of the World' booklet; B. Post's Kentish military history; A. Biddell's proposed alterations to the poor rate; finding remote distances by P. Leaky; and the speed of sound by Airy and J. Challis. The correspondents include A.B. Garrod, J. Phillips, T. Fowler, J.F.W. Herschel, J.S. Henslow and H. Goulbourn.