The account notebook contains detailed and precise notes for his time at Edinburgh University, starting October 1859 with expenditure for session 1859-1860. The first page shows detail from 31 October to 24 November 1859 including ten shillings (10/-) for his train fare (from Perth), his one shilling and sixpence (1/6) cab fare from the railway station to Melville Street, and his bill of two pounds eleven shilings and twopence (£1/11/2) for lodgings and food for one week and three days. On 29 March 1860 he paid two shillings (2/-) for a ticket for Gladstone's installation (as Rector of the University). After paying for his train fare back to Perth on 19 May, his expenditure had totalled ninety-five pounds fourteen shillings and a penny-halfpenny (£95/14/1½).

The account notebook also contains expenditure for a period at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge, October 1863 to June 1864, and detail of cash received.

It is a sewn notebook in marbled wraps, with 40 ruled pages. There are addtional insertions, and the inside covers have scribblings and drawings.