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.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Comments on Margaret's serious illness, and is happy that she is recovering. States that he has been writing some articles on agricultural chemistry. Remarks that he is sending gifts which she will be pleased to give the young Bells. Describes the flowers.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Remarks that he would like to have her opinion on his abandoning the pursuit of wealth for the ministry. Speaks of his desire to visit London.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Received the parcel of seeds that she sent along with her letter. Describes the beauty of spring.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Is sending some books, among which is Alcott's 'Young Women's Guide'. Master Clarece Primrose, a boy sent by is father for education in Edinburgh, will deliver them.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Describes his recent excursions. Wishes that Margaret could visualize the beauty of Nova Scotia. Wonders when he will see her again.

Letter from John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia, to Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh
Remarks that he was grieved by the news of Mr. Boyd's death. As b her request, he has destroyed her letter of December 1st, although she has no reason to feel ashamed of her sentiments.

Letter from Margaret A. Y. Mercer, 6 Windmill Street, Edinburgh, to John William Dawson, Pictou, Nova Scotia
Encloses half a sovereign together with the list from Peter Lawson's catalogue, and would like Margaret to buy him some seeds, which she could send to him with Mr. Crerar or Mr. Purves. Speaks of an ingenious gentleman inventing a machine in which he proposes to fly to America in 24 hours.

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.