FG’s volume on his African expedition [Narrative of an explorer in tropical South Africa (1853)] stimulates CD to express his admiration and to hope their acquaintance can be renewed.

Describes his health and life at Down.

Asks JM to forward letter [1525] to Francis Galton "the author of the very interesting volume" Murray recently published.

Sympathises with WDF’s tribulations.

Bartholomew James Sulivan’s address is Guildford. Please to have CD’s copy [of Owen 1853] left at the Athenaeum Club or the Geological Society of London.

He and his family are in Eastbourne but the weather has been poor.

Thanks WDF for writing so soon after his misfortunes, and again expresses sympathy.

Thanks correspondent for forwarding microscopical specimens, a present from C. G. Ehrenberg.

Sends thanks for recent specimen, which gave him conclusive evidence that Verruca acts only on calcareous rocks.

Asks for a reference on carbonic acid.

Is glad CSB progresses in research on spider-like Crustacea.

Thanks for rare Balanus specimens. Asks about their source.

Comments on GJ’s book [Terra Lindisfarnensis (1853)].

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

Asks about source of paper on the metamorphosis of Pycnogonida for C. S. Bate.

Further response to MS of introductory essay to Flora Novae-Zelandiae.

Disbelieving in permanence of species has made little difference to CD in his barnacle work.

Admires JDD’s work on Crustacea, corals, and geology.

Commends young John Lubbock to his attention. Hopes JDD can give him encouragement; if he can resist his "great wealth, business, and rank, he may do good work in Natural History".

Detailed response to MS of introductory essay to [The botany of the Antarctic voyage, pt II] Flora Novae-Zelandiae [1853–5]. CD will curse JDH when, in a year or two, he is at his species book, for "having put so many hostile facts so confoundedly well".

Thanks JDD for copy of his Crustacea [1852–5]

and D. D. Owen’s Report [of a geological survey of Wisconsin, etc. (1852)].

Returning JDH’s MS and books.

Reading Mrs Gaskell’s Ruth [1853].

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

Discusses publication of Fossil Cirripedia.

Comments on paper by JAHdeB ["Les crustacés fossiles du terrain Crétacé du Limbourg", Verh. Uitg. Comm. Geol. Beschrijving & Kaart Ned. 2 (1854): 11–137].

Comments on SC’s trip to the gold diggings. CD is most interested in Australia and reads every book about it that he can find. Sends news of former Beagle shipmates FitzRoy, Sulivan, Mellersh, and of Fuegia [Basket].

Royal Society votes its Royal Medal for 1853 to CD. JDH reports the debate and vote at the Royal Society Council.

Honoured for Coral reefs

and Cirripedia.

Edward Sabine’s official letter announcing CD’s receipt of Royal Society Medal left him cold. JDH’s informal one moved him.

Applauds JDH for supporting John Lindley.