Arndt typically addresses his son as "Muth" in these letters and often signs them as either "EMA" or "EM Arndt." Topics that appear in the letters include but are not limited to the weather, news about other family members and family friends, EMA's own health, responses to Hartmuth's letters, and travels, including taking the baths at Rhein.

Arndt also frequently expresses fatherly concern for his son, such as when the family hasn't received a letter from him, as well as hoping that his son is healthy and working hard, attending church, etc. The 1848 letters discuss the Revolution and war, including Hartmuth's requirements to take up arms in Bonn even though he was not living there that year.

Folder titles indicate from where Arndt was writing to his son, as well as the date of the letter.