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Has been seriously ill again, and has appointed Whittaker and Bushby executors of his will. Has not managed even one third of the tasks he had hoped to achieve in the last year. His temporary observatory is a small wooden house, just large enough to contain his transit instruments, clock and circle. His doctors attribute his poor health to exposure to the night air in the wooden house. Once a building is erected properly constructed for observing, he should no longer suffer attacks. There have been no arrivals from England for two months, and he has not seen a newspaper since the account of the King's visit to Scotland. They have had a good harvest. Compares the quality and price of food unfavourably with that in England. Describes the state of religion in the Colony as low, with only the Mahometan prospering. The clergy of the English and Dutch churches are similar to those in Europe. The Methodists and Independents have had little success though the inns where travellers stop are well supplied with their 'trash and lies'. Criticises a representative of the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, who keeps up the dignity of the Church by doing nothing, is affronted by being called a missionary, yet is happy to receive £300 a year for his 'arduous exertions'. Asks for news of Blackburn.

Expresses his warm gratitude for Whittaker's letter. Agrees that he has suffered, not just from bodily illness, but in the knowledge of the grief his death would cause his wife, and family back in Cockermouth. Describes an earlier severe attack of sunstroke while taking observations, and ascribes his survival to his wife's devoted nursing. Responds to Whittaker's admonitions to return immediately to England, by declaring it his duty to fulfil his appointment. If he felt another could do it better he would resign and take a curacy. Regrets the loss of Sir R. Dorkin, Acting Governor, who used to visit to see his progress. Describes the current Governor, Lord C. Somerset, as shining most at a horse race. He has not visited and Fallows has heard via his Chaplain Mr Wright that he thought it strange that the government should pay someone to gaze at the stars and yet abolish sinecures. Fallows has a low opinion of Mr Wright, who receives £300 a year from the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge for doing nothing. Gives an account of his work: on 22 June he forwarded a catalogue of 273 principle stars in the right ascension and declination taken from the zenith of Capricorn to the poles. Made over 3000 observations to produce the catalogue. Has sent some tables which he hopes will merit reading at scientific society, and has sent a fair copy of his observations, a copy of which will be deposited either in the library of St John's College or the University. Is contemplating a paper on ships' chronometers and their inaccuracies, and on the predicted solar eclipse next year. Describes how he plans to measure the height of Table Mountain. If he need to return home then he will ask Whittaker to procure him a curacy near Blackburn, but he hopes that he will not be under such necessity. Wishes he could lay aside his clerical character, as he is called upon to cover others' duty as often as if he had a regular benefice, but declares that he will not be 'a convenient clergyman' any longer.

Has lost another child, born prematurely. Refers to Whittaker's news that Jephson is ruined. Doubts his guilt, given the character of the witnesses against him. Refers to the excellence of Lamb's Latin. Repeats Whittaker's advice back to him to avoid involvement in religious controversy and urges him to write something worthy. There is no progress with the observatory. He and his wife have made a 700 round trip into the Colony on horseback, during which he kept a journal amounting to 100 closely written pages. It is not for publication, but he hopes one day to go through it with Whittaker by the fireside. Praises the Moravian missionary establishment and the piety and learning of Mr Holbeck. Has given a full account of the mission's tendency to ameliorate the condition of the Hottentots in his journal, and compares it with La Trobe's book, which is very accurate, as is Mr Barrow's account of the habits of the Boors. Was briefly visited by his friend Harper, whose evangelism he finds foolish. Believes that ill-judged evangelism in India could lose England the jewel of its empire. Gives news of affairs in Cape Town. He has always steered clear of religious or political parties there, though was a rank Tory in England. Recounts the suppression of a new newspaper 'The South African Advertiser', and related events, including the sentencing to deportation of a Mr Edwards for a libel against the Governor. Free speech is impossible in the current political situation. A bounty is being offered to apprehend the perpetrator of an offensive placard accusing Lord Somerset and his medical attendant of an infamous crime. The Colonial Secretary, the Catholic Colonel Bird has been dismissed from office after those associated with Sir Rufane Dorkin were targeted in a factional dispute. Colonel Bird is reduced to beggary, having a wife and 10 children, plus other dependants. Fallows condemns religious intolerance, and the application of religious tests in a colony where the members of the established church form only a fraction of the community. Notes with dismay that the Mahometans appear to live in peace with one another, yet the Christians do not. Reiterates his intention to live quietly and remain distant from all parties.

Includes letters sent to JWW by correspondents listed alphabetically from Twopeny to Wood

Includes letters sent to JWW by correspondents listed alphabetically from Atcheson to Blunt.