Discusses a debate, the motion being a 'vote of confidence in the government', friends of the family also at Cambridge, his diet (including 'I eat as much breakfast as I can without getting sick'), advice and work he has been set for his chemistry studies, asks for advice on domestic matters and gives information on his lodgings.
Describes a trip to the theatre and mentions that he is to keep on his lodgings. Notes that 'permission has been granted to a Mr W. Morris to lecture ... on 'Plutocracy'' and remarks 'I hear he is a Socialist'. Humorously discusses election tactics for an acquaintance in Ipswich. Describes visiting Sir Roland Wilson, a family friend, for tea and meeting 'three coloured men', one of whom gave advice on the Science Tripos.
Has been 'settling what lectures to go to', including practical biology. Discusses other matters concerning his studies. Asks for domestic items to be sent from home, including a billycock hat to protect him from the wind and rain.
Has received the domestic items sent from home, including plates of cold meat. Gives his lecture schedule, including chemistry, physics and biology, and has also been to lectures on Law. Asks about the danger of catching consumption from a fellow student.
Discusses the options he has available to him in taking the Natural Sciences Tripos, the subjects to be studied and the timeframe in which to study them.
Asks for a copy of Anson's Law of Contract. Discusses the best course to take for his degree. Notes his personal circumstances, being in bed by 11, having meat for breakfast and managing to find some decent beer.
Tells of a meeting called by the Steward to discuss the 'complaints made against Hall'. Describes it as 'awful fun'. Gives an account of a 'splendid debate' on Socialism, including a speech by William Morris. Discusses family matters.
Has been to see the racing on the Cam. Discusses using the chemistry laboratories. Discusses family matters and asks for a copy of a sermon which will be preached the following week. Asks questions about local events. Gives a list of his lectures.
Has been to see the scratch eights on the river and describes the sinking of two of the crews. Also notes a 'bump' supper where 'a lot of fellows got tight'. Mentions the result of an election in Brighton and the fashion of men 'wearing whites to the races'. Also notes he has dissected a worm for his biology course and asks for his paintbox to complete his illustrations. Discusses at length fellow students and scholarships to Cambridge University in indignant tones. Notes the behaviour prevalent on Sundays, hearing dance music and being told of card games being played 'and all this from clergymen's sons'.
Has been offered rooms in second court for £17 per year and £8 for gyp and bedmaker. Describes the rooms and notes that Ruskin believes that second court is 'the best one in Cambridge or Oxford'. Notes that dissecting a dogfish is not as difficult as dissecting a worm.