His dinner with the Carlyles. "He is the best worth listening to of any man" – but CD cannot get up much admiration for Mrs C, partly because of her Scots accent, which makes her difficult to understand.

Has been with the Lyells doing geology.

Is reading a biography of Sir W. Scott [J. G. Lockhart, Memoirs of the life of Sir Walter Scott (1837–8)]; also Mungo Park’s book [Travels (1799)].

Has hired a cook at fourteen guineas a year with tea and sugar.

Comments on recent visit to Maer. Explains that his notion of happiness as quietness and solitude derives from Beagle experience. Hopes Emma will humanise him. Comments on marriage planned for Tuesday.

Describes recent visit by Lyell and his wife. Talked geology for half an hour "with poor Mrs Lyell sitting by". "I want practice in ill-treating the female sex."

He has the wedding ring. Agrees to coming straight home after the wedding, if that is what she prefers.

Asks Emma to write to Erasmus [E. A. Darwin] in support of Miss Elizabeth Garrett as Professor of Physiology at Bedford College for girls.

Does not like the photos; thinks they should try again.

Last account of Susan Darwin reports she is having a good deal of faintness.

Mrs Hooker will not come with him to Down on Saturday.

Caroline says Jos [Wedgwood III] is "much pulled down".

Will be glad to see her on 4th.

Thinks Hensleigh is getting better, very slowly.

CD’s sudden temporary failure of memory and his eczema are not serious and would be relieved by rest and good diet.

An amusing description of his railway journey to Shrewsbury.

Would like to come to Down on 20th or 21st.

Woolner is unwell.

Has been working with G. R. Crotch on stridulation. The sexual theory seems very shaky.

Is sending preparations of beetles.

Observations on the first appearance of tears in a baby.

Crying in babies.

Family news. Mainly concerned about Doddy’s [W. E. Darwin’s] health.

The happy family life at Shrewsbury. CD is looking so well his father would not have known there was anything the matter with him. The year’s accounts come to £1380.

Family news from Shrewsbury.

News of family and of his stay at Shrewsbury.

Calculates the newly instituted income tax will mean £30 per annum.

Is "stomachy and be-blue-devilled" because of costs of publishing [Zoology and Coral reefs]. Wonders how the remainder [of the Zoology and Geology of "Beagle"] can be published without taking £200 or £300 out of their personal funds.