Lankester announces his resignation from the Chair of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, citing peculiar conditions of candidature and competition, and previously undisclosed teaching duties as reasons for not accepting the post.

Lankester announces his resignation from the Chair of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, and states that he will be staying at University College London. He gives the main reasons for his resignation as 'ten months are required in Edinburgh instead of three as I supposed, and that there are no laboratories nor a museum, nor likely to be for many years to come' and that the Executive Commission 'may reduce the value of the post to any extent.'

Cecil writes that he thinks Ewart's 'Cushendall discovery' by far 'the most important and interesting you have yet made' (presumably referring to Ewart's reported sighting of some dwarf horses during his visit to Northern Ireland). He then goes on to make observations on what Cecil calls 'Irish-looking' features of chestnut ponies with white manes and tails.

Butcher informs Ewart of his decision to resign his Chair due to ill health and expresses sadness at the prospect of clearing out his house before moving to London.