Explains he is suffering from an eye complaint, amaurosis, which impedes his reading and writing, and expresses fears that it will worsen. Two days later, he writes that he has had another attack, and reviews his activities over the last three months, "the most miserable of my life." Expresses his opinion of living poets.

Solicits support for the School of Design.

Describes a lecture by William Cockerell, R.A., which Collier did not attend. It was the first lecture at the School of Design.

Explains his lack of response to Collier's invitation to dine with him; Chooses not to address "the other matter," writing: "the less that is said the better."

Describes his travels over the last week. Confirms the receipt of a packet of books from Collier and thanks him, describes his duties as vicar. Is delighted with the Old Man's Diary: "It surpasses all my expectations."

Speaks of his miniature tragedy, Paria.

Collier's note: "Paria and Bridgewater."

Requests that the copies of minutes be sent to the Lord Chancellor's Secretary, discusses business with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Asks Amyot and Collier whether a "pageant of the time of Henry VIII" would be an appropriate publication submission for the Shakespeare Society, of which he is now a councillor. Describes and quotes a long passage from the 28-page manuscript, which, he writes, belonged to the king himself, and details his own plans to edit it.

Answers Collier's query about a letter of the Duke of Norfolk. Contains Collier's copy of T. Norfolk's letter to George - 1572.

Expresses doubts that Covent Garden will continue to profit; gives evidence of its unpopularity. Concerned about the effect of this failure on their friend, the playwright James Sheridan Knowles, who was acting the lead in his own play, The Hunchback, at the time. Asks Collier to write a piece in the Chronicle soliciting donations to support Knowles.

Collier's note: "This was when he only assumed equality."