JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.

Details about FitzRoy and proposed voyage of Beagle. CD invited to go on the voyage as naturalist.

Reports on his geological work in N. Wales since he and CD parted. Answers CD’s queries.

Suggestions and information helpful to CD in preparation for Beagle voyage. David Brewster’s meteorological papers. Suggests an oyster-trawl for collecting marine animals. Recommends CD see R. E. Grant. For meteorological observations suggests F. W. Beechey’s Voyage to the Pacific [1831] and an interview with J. F. Daniell of King’s College.

Congratulates CD on Beagle appointment as an "opportunity … of studying all the natural sciences at once, after your own taste".

Is glad of CD’s appointment and hopes it will be a source of happiness and honour.

Answers a query about books.

Suggests CD go to Geological Society, present himself, as AS’s friend, to William Lonsdale and study the Society’s collection.

Tells CD of his work in Wales; includes a diagram and explanations.

Ramsay’s death a grievous loss.

Rejoices in CD’s appointment and predicts he will rank with Candolle, Henslow, and Linnaeus.

Recounts their past pleasures and gives news of friends, who are scattering fast.

Regrets he cannot take Francis Owen on Beagle as midshipman. RF thinks CD had better be on the books [for victuals], but CD should do as he likes. Refitting progress is slow.

Reports on a setter puppy born of apparently pure pointer parents. Any cross must have been far back.

Gives CD directions for sending him specimens from Beagle.

Writes of Cambridge politics.

Is sending plates for R. T. Lowe’s paper [Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 4 (1833): 1–70].

Adds advice on working the surd.

Agrees with CD that Beagle voyage would have been wrong for Jenyns, but assures him he (CD) is the right man. Warns CD against his "foible" of taking offence at rudeness or ungentlemanlike behaviour.

News of Cambridge: the recent examinations; memorial tablet for Marmaduke Ramsay.

Chronicles the events of February, principally of the family and of a few friends: engagements, marriages, deaths, some visits.

Writes of his family and Shropshire events. Comments on the slow progress of the Reform Bill.

Writes news of Cambridge friends, professors, music, the Reform Bill, and cholera. Expresses belief that CD will take his place with Cuvier and Humboldt.

News from Maer and Shrewsbury of family, friends, and reports of reactions to CD’s first letters.

Sedgwick suggests he look for fossils in gravel banks of rivers.

Fanny Owen is married to R. M. Biddulph. Reform Bill prospects.

Has been away from parish because of a three-month illness. Refers briefly to events in England since the Beagle sailed.

News of family and friends.

Reports on the commissions CD requested of him [in a missing letter]; comments on English political issues.

He is staying on the Isle of Wight because he has been unwell. He is thought to be in danger of contracting consumption, and the climate is beneficial. He is convalescent now, but will spend the winter there.

Offers to forward any natural history stores CD may want.