CB is 'incurable castle-builder.' Denies that JH falls easily into love. Eradicating 'one hastily conceived & silly passion' has deadened JH's heart. Any future love must follow a long acquaintance and friendship.
[Theophila] Gwatkin will accept Georgiana Babbage's invitation. Will set date after Gwatkin returns from Baylin. Asks CB to be trustee in JH's marriage settlement.
Received another notice from General Reversionary & Trust Society regarding H. J. Hollier. JH asks again to be replaced as trustee for Mary Anne Hollier trust.
Believes that John Davy's letter to the Philosophical Magazine was suggested by James South. To defend himself, CB now needs JH's permission to publish some of their correspondence.
Commiserates with JH in his illness, and says CB is ill also and confined to his house. Seeing JH's letter in the Philosophical Magazine [see JH's 1864-12-20] seems to CB to obviate completely the need for any further response.
Draws JH's attention to an article in the most recent Philosophical Magazine.
Tells CB about a visit by JH and Wolryche Whitmore to the Duke [of ?] to present the case for more government funds for Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Speculates on extinction of species by natural (not miraculous) causes intermediate to Creator. JH's theory of shifting crust over Earth's surface and its subsequent transfer of pressure. Seeks geological primum mobile for volcanoes based on continual deposition and melting of strata. 'All records of former worlds must ultimately perish.'
Sends deeds already signed by J. J. Guest. JH should sign and return them. [Annotation by unknown hand: Mrs. Hollier's marriage and settlement.]
As trustee of marriage settlement of CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier], JH is asked to sign enclosed order. Reports distribution of money to sister and to H. J. Hollier.
Received JH's directive to send dividend to Mary Ann Hollier. Other money is invested in property at Cardiff, owned by Mr. Hollier. CB in bad health. Questions authorship of Vestiges [of Creation].
Sends deciphered code. Explains how CB solved it. [CB note dated 24 Mar. 1846: Technique for deciphering code.]
Saw in the Times that JH is working on universal alphabet. Sends Wolfgang Kempelen's book (1791) on mechanism of speech. Speculates on machine that could produce phonetic sounds for universal language.
Sorry that CB's nephew bothered JH with request for money from fund for CB's sister. Nephew must deal directly with Reversionary Interest Society. Recalls mutual vow of JH and CB forty years ago to pursue many intellectual endeavors.
Complications with JH's trusteeship for CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier]. Details of how other trusts are managed. Will consult Edward Ryan about JH's desire to resign from trust. CB's brother-in-law Wolryche Whitmore died.
Marquis of Bute [J. P. C. Stuart] purchased property of CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier] in Cardiff. [Charles] Few & Co., managers of property, sent title for CB's and JH's signatures. Sorry that JH was troubled again by pressure from CB's nephews for money.
Apologizes for JH's further troubles with trust fund for CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier], whose three sons are selling off their inheritances. Solicitor Charles Few will take care of legal issues. Not likely that JH can resign as trustee.
Charles Few will send deed for JH's signature. It transfers property of CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier] in Cardiff to Marquis of Bute [J. P. C. Stuart]. Expects no further changes in trust and no more troubles for JH. Saw Alexander Herschel's work on 'shooting stars' published by B.A.A.S. Illness of CB's son [Henry P. Babbage] in India. CB's latest book.
Please sign enclosed legal document and return to Messrs. 'Praed.' CB overworked, but hopes to complete Passages from the Life of a Philosopher before Christmas.
Asks CB to to look very carefully into financial affairs relating to JH's impending marriage [to Miss Gwatkin]. Begs CB not to tell JH she has written.