Friendly letters between artists: McLachlan's composite-photograph projects; selling water-color through Shlelds; requesting artistic advice; Hughes' exhibitions; news of friends and family; treatment of rheumatism; introducing Albert Hayward, a William Morris (1834-1896) artisan who hopes to work on Shields' chapel; Miss Alice Boyd (1825?-1897); Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893); bargaining with buyer Thomas Barraclough; William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) and details of his funeral; and other topics.

Also 1 letter from Hughes to Lachlan McLachlan, dated 1868, regarding the composite photograph project.