Believes he has found a "savant" for FitzRoy in CD, whom he describes as grandson of Erasmus Darwin and "full of zeal and enterprize".

Reports on errands he has done for RF. Has discussed with Beaufort the question of his having right to dispose of his collection.

CD’s luggage is frightfully bulky, though he has been as economical as possible. Has made financial arrangements for his expenses.

Plans to study mathematics during voyage.

Has just heard Beagle sailing is delayed so he will remain another week in London. Asks whether RF has a good set of mountain barometers, which geologists tell him are important.

Recounts his trip [from Valparaiso] to Santiago. His meeting with Claude Gay, Thomas Sutcliffe, and others. Geology of tour uninteresting.

Sends a copy of the printed paper by RF. Regarding chronometer measurements. Has just received a communication from Alexander von Humboldt in which he seems to have anticipated both JH's and RF's ideas. Comments on a new machine for sounding.

CD describes his happy home-coming. Finds his family and Shrewsbury unchanged.

Poor health has made him give up all geological work.

Profits on their volumes [of Narrative] seem absurdly small.

Looks back on Beagle voyage as the most fortunate circumstance in his life.

Finds marriage a great happiness.

Returning some papers that should have been returned earlier. Hopes all are well.

Congratulates FitzRoy on his appointment as Governor of New Zealand. Wants to see him and his wife before their departure. Proposes to call on them in London next Thursday.

Has just heard of RF’s return [from New Zealand]. Hopes to see him.

CD and family are well, but he is a different man in strength and energy from when he was "Flycatcher" in the Beagle.

Has just finished his book [South America].

Has read RF’s pamphlet on New Zealand [Remarks on New Zealand (1846)]. Sympathises with his difficulties as Governor.

J. D. Hooker has described Capt. King’s Tierra del Fuego plants and CD’s Galapagos plants [in Flora Antarctica, pt 2 (1847)] which have extraordinary interest and novelty.

A malicious person has sent George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, a letter CD had written to J. L. Stokes, containing a derogatory statement likening Grey’s expedition to "a set of school boys".

Is trying to help RF understand the difference between the dynamics of solid bodies moving over each other and the dynamics of moving fluids, both water and air.

Comments on wind and current charts JH has received from RF.

Asks for meteorological data that RF may have collected.

Asks for information about wrecks at sea and lives lost.

Thanks for a number of RF's writings; asks for more rainfall data to try to establish a relationship between rainfall and the solar cycle.

Thanks for all the material received; comments on some of RF's meteorological ideas.

Comments on RF's writing on drifting ice; comments extensively on RF's ideas about air circulation.