JBJ explains his theory of atmospheric denudation of Irish river valleys, to be published [as "On the river valleys in the south of Ireland", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 18 (1862): 378–403], and suggests its application to the Weald. This slow process would make the Weald far older than CD’s 300 million years.

Thanks for Orchids.

His gift has given her great pleasure. Will show his translation of Homer to the Tennysons. Has lost her neighbor Mr. Clough. Would like a visit from the Herschels. News of Alfred Tennyson's current work.

Is meditating on a paper on the infinity of magnitude. Does he recollect a paper by J. J. Sylvester on the passage of a bullet in a gun barrel?

Would be glad to know in which work he argued against the eternal existence of matter.

Reminisces about Andrew Knight, whom he knew as a young man.

Praises Orchids for its "analogies of Creation".

Will send lizard orchid.

Seeks clarification of the position of one of the listed nebulae [see JH's 1862-4-30].

[Jean] Chacornac found nebula in Coma Berenices that JH thought had disappeared. It is highly variable. Notes on nebulae of variable magnitude.

[Responding to JC's 1862-5-26], discusses JH's argument against the eternal self existence of matter. Gives reference to where argument appears in JH's Prelim. Discourse.

Sends a cutting from the Stroud Journal concerning JH's father, which may interest JH.

Pleased with CD’s opinion of the Henslow Memoir [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. John Stevens Henslow (1862)]

Acknowledges his letter and his invitation to Collingwood. Was pleased to have the company of the young ladies on their journey from Paris.

Comments on several nebulae, and on GA's receiving an honorary degree [from Cambridge University].

Provides the information in response to GA's request for the position of one nebula [see GA's 1862-5-27].

Thanks for sending him a copy of his translation of the first book of the Iliad. Although his health is better he spent some time near Naples and saw the eruption of Vesuvius. Comments on volcanic activity.

Sends two flowers of Vanilla and two Melastomataceae.

Has worked on Cameroon list ["Mountain flowering plants and ferns of the Cameroons", in Burton, Abeokuta and the Cameroons Mountains (1863) 2: 270–7]

and Genera plantarum.

Thanks for his long and valuable reply to his query. States how the query originated.

Hopes AD will be successful in his projected paper on the infinity of magnitude. Does not recollect the paper by J. J. Sylvester. Has had a letter from Manchester on his own theory of eternal existence.

Has looked for [Ophrys] arachnites for CD, but it is too early in the season.

Of five institutions in India named by JH, three no longer exist. Suggests alternate recipients for Cape Results. TM will forward copies to India.

Suspects that J. J. Sylvester and JH agree in their theories. Is inclined to agree with them as his third paper on logic shows. Has read JH's book and will return it soon. Has 30,000 life policies to calculate.