Two pages of notes with the titles “Note on [Topul] Woods from Yukon Territory, Dec 1884,” “Specimens from Belly River in black carbonaceous shale,” and “Finil Woods, Rink rapids, Lewis River.”

Letter from John William Dawson, Edinburgh, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer , 11 Arniston Place, Newington, Edinburgh
Has done a considerable proportion of his work. Describes the singing of the birds in front of the castle.

Letter from John William Dawson, Edinburgh, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer , 11 Arniston Place, Newington, Edinburgh
Went to Mrs. Bell's yesterday. Will call on Margaret's mother tomorrow. Remarks on going out with Mr. Patterson.

Letter from John William Dawson, Edinburgh, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer , 11 Arniston Place, Newington, Edinburgh
Describes his feelings towards her. Describes Pictou, Nova Scotia - its climate, its people, its literary and religious institutions. Speaks of his parents property in Pictou, and their servants. Remarks that he will return to Nova Scotia next spring. Explains that the original purpose in coming to Edinburgh was to spend time with Margaret.

Letter from John William Dawson, Edinburgh, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer , 11 Arniston Place, Newington, Edinburgh
Describes his feelings towards her. Remarks that he has had a letter from home.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Mr. Crerar is leaving from Britain in fifteen minutes. Sends a few American books with Mr. Crerar for Margaret's nephews and nieces. Has not had time to find anything for Margaret. Remarks that his parents are ill, but that it is not serious.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Discusses Margaret's lack of confidence. Comments on her views regarding the differences between life in Pictou and life in Edinburgh. States that he was called to Halifax about a month ago to give some information to the Legislative committee about the coal and iron deposits. Also speaks of lecturing to the temperance societies.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
States that their letters could form a book of travels if the came into the hands of an imaginative bookwriter. Remarks on going to the little province of Prince Edward Island to attend lectures of the Divinity professor of his Church. States that he does not intend to give up geology because his love of nature is too great.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Has visited Halifax, the provincial seat of the government, with over 25,000 inhabitants. States that he gave three lectures there at the Mechanics Institute. sent one of his papers to the London Geological Society. Mr. (Charles) Lyell said that it excited some discussion.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Describes his short journey to the East Ward of Pictou. Comments on 'The Daughters of England' by Ellis. Asks how Mr. Rose, the mineralogist, is getting on.