Explains "Duke Darwinii" reference [in 4283].

Family news.

Writes of Scottish immorality and pious talk.

Suggests a new school for CD’s son [Horace].

Urges Emma to bring CD to hydropathic establishment at Forres.

Family affairs.

Mrs Innes’ brother-in-law has died.

Recommends a tutor for CD’s son.

Sends school subscription to CD as treasurer. Hopes Henrietta will assist in teaching there.

CD thanks JBI for contribution to Down school.

George [Darwin] has passed his examination at Cambridge;

Henrietta has been poorly.

Congratulates CD on son’s [George’s] distinction [Second Wrangler] at Cambridge.

Writes about difficulties in which S. J. O. Horsman, curate at Down, has involved himself and others. Horsman has said he would resign. JBI offers to give up his interests in the living at Down.

CD writes in detail about difficulties with Horsman’s financial accounts and the affairs of the parish.

Further discussion of the difficulties with S. J. O’H. Horsman [curate at Down].

JBI has been charmed with Variation. Does not think there is really any theological difficulty in the "predestination of variation".

Surprised and pleased JBI liked his "big book" [Variation].

Luckily, naturalists do not seem to think he has committed suicide with the work.

CD wants to turn over the school accounts to John Robinson [curate of Down]. Writes of other parish news.

Will vote in person for Sir John Lubbock.

The election of 1868.

Remarkable deflection of the plummet observed east of Forres.

Problems with Mr Robinson, who has suddenly departed for Ireland for a month. The parish urgently needs some respectable man to hold the living permanently.

Full background on the difficulties of the vicarage of Down.

Describes a supposed cross between a cow and a red deer or doe.

Does not think the supposed cow–deer hybrid worth investigating.

John Robinson [the curate at Down] reported to be walking with girls at night.

Will try to get more information about the supposed hybrid [of cow and deer].

The rumours about John Robinson [curate of Down] cause JBI concern. He will seek to get the facts – will try to protect Robinson against malicious rumours, but if he is immoral he must go forthwith.

Hopes Miss [Sarah Elizabeth] Wedgwood will sell part of her land for a parsonage at Down. Recounts his futile efforts to obtain land in the past.

Encloses news item about the supposed hybrid [of cow and deer].