Receipt for £3 5s, proceeds of a lecture, for the Down Coal and Clothing Club.

Will give his support to a school for the poor to be a memorial to the late Sir John Lubbock.

Gives his opinion on some difficulties that have arisen in connection with the establishment of the school for the poor at Down.

Declines the honour of writing a biography of Leopold von Buch, on grounds that he would not do it well; nor does he hold Buch so high as the world at large does.

Thanks ES for his note [missing]. CD had understood that what was wanted was a eulogy [of Leopold von Buch] combined with historical criticism, after the French practice. Agrees that historico-critical sketches of work of great foreigners have a place in Philosophical Transactions and wishes he had taste and capacity for it.

Distressed to find himself in conflict with JWL on appointment of a Guardian [for the parish].

Is unequal to taking chair as President of Natural History Section of BAAS meeting in Liverpool. Very little fatigue or excitement brings on swimming of head, nausea, and other symptoms.

Reports that his intercession with Folliott Baugh [Rector of Chelsfield, Kent] has had no effect. Baugh still believes Farnborough’s rights have not been attended to if entire fund is applied to the school at Down.

CD called on Baugh but found him adamant; he has already laid the case before the [Charity] Commissioners and if necessary will take it to a Court of Equity.

Recommends publication of Leonard Horner’s account of researches in alluvial deposits of Egypt [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 145 (1855): 105–38]. It contains valuable observations which will probably become of still higher value in future.

Recommends publication of W. B. Carpenter’s paper on Orbitolites [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 146 (1856): 181–236]. Discusses style and the cost of the plates.

Comments on water rising in their wells.

CD and Hooker suggest Sir John Richardson for Royal Medal. Other suggestions are George Bentham, Joseph Prestwich, Albany Hancock.

Asks JWL to use his influence to forward the appointment of T. H. Huxley to the Examinership in Physiology and Comparative Anatomy at University of London. Gives details of THH’s qualifications.

Regrets he cannot accept dinner invitation.

Recommends W. B. Carpenter’s paper on Foraminifera, pt 2, be published in Philosophical Transactions [R. Soc. Lond. 146 (1856): 547–69].

Obliged for JWL’s note [missing]. Will forward it to Mr Wedgwood.

Remarks, "it was … blunder of A. Woods about your wanting the Furniture."

Feels unqualified to offer advice on research by the expedition; he has never attended to natural history of the region. Suggests collecting Carboniferous plants and studying the geographical extension of sea-borne erratic boulders.

C. P. Smyth’s observations on geology and natural history of Tenerife are not precise enough to warrant publication in Philosophical Transactions. Suggests CPS draw up an abstract, for the Proceedings, of specific points actually observed, rather than conclusions arrived at on insufficient grounds.

Would rather not serve on Royal Society committee [for a North American exploring expedition]. Suggests subjects for geological investigation.