Went recently to Tommy Hunt’s festivities before Lloyd Kenyon joined his regiment.
Hopes Caroline and Catherine Darwin will visit in a week.
Caroline and Catherine Darwin were at the Forest a few days last week and Susan Darwin comes the next day. Mentions other relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
Account of insects he has collected, with figures drawn by sister.
Mainly concerned with entomological specimens CD has recently captured. Three figures of beetles are included.
Is eager to know all that goes on at the Forest [Woodhouse], Bliss Castle [Maer], and Darwin Hall [The Mount].
CD on a reading party at Barmouth, Wales;
difficulty with mathematics.
Reports on his entomological collecting.
His idle life and the pleasures of Barmouth: "my reading [in mathematics] is a failure"; "Beettle hunting … is my proper sphere".
Accepts invitation to a Music Meeting at Osmaston, Derbyshire.
Entomological news and queries.
Has taken up angling.
Asks JMH to collect some insects at Barmouth.
Reports on his shooting luck.
Sends some stuffed birds for "Osmaston Museum" and some insects.
Home having cloyed, plans to go to Woodhouse to visit the Owens and the black-eyed houris [Sarah and Fanny] there.
CD obliged for JMH’s labours in "the science". He reports having spent a pleasant month. Entomological pursuits succeeded.
Looks forward to receiving beetles and butterflies from JMH when he passes through Shrewsbury.
More suggestions for the laboratory, including some experiments.
[Caroline Darwin on behalf of CD] submits a petition to Darwin family for £20 to purchase a new double-barrelled gun, CD’s present one having become dangerous.
Woodhouse news, including going to a play.
She has been spending much time painting.
Has met Frederick William Hope, the entomologist; relates F. W. Hope’s praise of CD’s collection and his generous offer of assistance.
Has found nice rooms in [Christ’s] College, which he has furnished with some very good prints. Lives almost entirely with W. D. Fox and entomology.
News of John Price, B. H. Kennedy, and Charles Whitley. Fanny Owen is as charming as ever.
CD is collecting entomological specimens;
extols the charms of Fanny Owen.
Entomological news, his poor success in collecting, observation of chrysalis.
Commiserates with WDF in his dismal pre-examination state.
Congratulates WDF on finishing at Cambridge; he regards his place as a very good one, and comments on how others did.
Father much pleased by gift of a swan.
Adds some entomological news.
Entomological visits with F. W. Hope and J. F. Stephens in London. News of insects taken and birds shot.
Has been advised by his tutor to defer the "Little Go". Sends news of Cambridge friends.