If you have yet obtained those books that I told you some time ago to get, you will find some elementary information on the subject in them, particularly in Lardner’s Museum of Science and Art.

I suppose I shall hear by the next mail whether you have been able to obtain for me Savage’s Practical Astronomy.  I want to trouble you with another commission of the same kind, namely, to find out whether there is a translation from the German into English of Professor Carl Kreil’s Introduction to Magnetic Observations, 2nd edition, Vienna, 1858.  I fear you will have some trouble in getting this book for me, but it is of great importance that I should have it if possible.  It may not be translated yet, but it certainly will be before long.  Whenever you get any catalogues of scientific books from the publishers in London, you might send them to me in a letter; or if they are too bulky, you have only to put a strip of paper round, and send it as a book, without letter or writing.  The postage is sixpence for four ounces, and threepence for every two ounces more, up to three pounds, which is the greatest weight that may be sent in one parcel; its dimensions must not exceed two feet in any direction.

They have just succeeded in raising the two thousand pounds here, by subscription, that was wanted towards an exploration fund, for fitting out an expedition, that will probably start for the interior of our continent next March.  Camels have been sent for, to be used in places where horses cannot go.  You would be astonished at the number of applications that are being made by people anxious to join the expedition.  Nine-tenths of them would wish themselves home again before they had been out three months.  Give my love to the two girls, and believe me, my dear Charley,

Your affectionate brother,

William J. Wills.

. . .

Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne, November 18th, 1859.

My dear mother,

The homeward mail closes in about half an hour, so that I have very little time to write.  The mail did not arrive here until a few days ago, being more than a week after time.  I was glad to receive your short letter.  We have had a very pleasant spring this year; not so many hot winds as usual.  I have mentioned in my letter to B—­that it is probable I shall be going up the country again in a few months, but that need not make any difference in the address of my letters, as Professor Neumayer will have the best opportunities of forwarding them to me.  We have lately had a visit from Dr. Hochstelter, a German professor, who came out in the Novara, an Austrian frigate, sent by the Austrian government to make a scientific tour round the world.  Dr. Hochstelter is a geologist, and has made a geological survey of New Zealand.  He exhibited a few evenings ago at our philosophical institute a great number of maps which he has compiled during the short time he remained