Asks him if he would like to visit the college: "... the fresh mountain air of the Perthshire hills, in lieu of the smokey atmosphere in Dundee, would quite re-invigorate your lungs".
He praises the influence Scots settlers have had on Ulster, claiming "our superior condition in Ulster morally and materially is entirely to be attributed to the strong Scotch element in our constitution". He goes on to give his opinion of the Irish press, the Disendowment Bill, as well as news of a vacancy on the Navy Pension List
Thanks him for helping his son in Liverpool, and commiserates on the death of James Dalyell, referring to him as "a man with the kindest of hearts, and its twin, a kind and feeling disposition ...".
Wonders if his father might secure a loan of £200 against his Gas Company Shares should it be necessary. He mentions that the London Times of 5 April contains a good account of the case so far.