Much disappointed that CD will leave home before she returns.
She encloses a pin with "genuine hair" and is flattered that it will go around the world with CD.
Their letters crossed; she now knows he will be gone for three years, not two; does not know what they will do without him at the Forest, but wishes him well.
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.
Describes the wedding of her sister Sarah and related festivities. She misses CD very much.
Family and Shropshire news.
News of family and friends, much of it about forthcoming marriages: Fanny Owen and R. M. Biddulph, Fanny Mackintosh and Hensleigh Wedgwood. Charlotte Wedgwood will write to him of her own engagement to Charles Langton.
Writes about Hensleigh Wedgwood’s marriage to Frances Mackintosh and her own engagement to Charles Langton. Also gives news of other relatives and friends.
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 affectionately of the good times they have had and of her friendship for CD. Tells him of her forthcoming marriage to R. M. Biddulph.
Writes of his family and Shropshire events. Comments on the slow progress of the Reform Bill.
Describes the gathering at Maer and the events culminating in Charlotte Wedgwood’s marriage to Charles Langton.
Writes news of Cambridge friends, professors, music, the Reform Bill, and cholera. Expresses belief that CD will take his place with Cuvier and Humboldt.
Writes chiefly of family affairs: Erasmus’ visit, further delay in Fanny Owen’s marriage, Sarah [Owen] Williams’ illness, Arthur Owen’s sad departure for India; cholera.
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.
Brings CD up to date on family and many friends. Describes the wedding of Fanny Owen and R. M. Biddulph. Sedgwick called on return from Wales. W. D. Fox has been very ill.
Has been away from parish because of a three-month illness. Refers briefly to events in England since the Beagle sailed.
Tells of the family’s pleasure in reading CD’s first two letters and his journal.
Comments on Shrewsbury politics, the cholera, and the family. Sedgwick calls often; Catherine thinks he is interested in Susan.