Headings given to the notes include: “The florid rich, first ? phases of poetry, as in the Oriental poems” (Camden Edition, vi, 96) ; “Europe” (vi, 218) ; “Milton —1608 —1674”; “The Teutonic includes the Scandinavian” (vi, 210); “(passing through the town of Borgo in old Finland, Russia,)” (vi, 95-96); “Specimen Days” (Diary in Canada, page 64); “—the story of Dante’s ‘Journey through Hell’ ” (Camden Edition, vii, 11) ; “Mithras, the grand deity of ancient Persians, supposed to be the sun” (vii, 22); ” ‘law’ ‘lex’ ‘lux’ light? Alcoran signifies law” (vi, 214); “Of the Democratic Party 58—’59—60.” On verso of “Europe”: “Two Samples of Voltaires writings” (Camden Edition, vi, 218); notes on Voltaire. On verso of “Milton —1608 —1674”: “Burns, born 1757 died 1796—aged 39” (vii, 8). Miscellaneous jottings on poetry and on the geography and population of Europe, a list of synonyms for the word “poet,” geographical and ethnological definitions, observations on Finland copied from the New York Tribune for October, 1855, notes on events in 1854 and 1855 intended as a reminder for Specimen Days, names of Italian poets, scraps on Mithras and various religions of the Orient, a vitriolic remark on the planks of the Democratic platform, 1858-1860, and notes on literary men.

Whether the essays were written to support the author’s theological studies, as material to be presented in convocations, or in response to the scientific revelations or debates of the time is unclear; however, a reader with initials “J.W.M” read, notated, and provided short comments on the contents. Cilley provided a few ink drawings, including a chart showing the geologic strata and time periods, as well as an image of the human heart. Many essays contain citations to theological writings of the period. Among the many philosophers and writers covered are Aristotle, Benedict Spinoza, Thomas Hobbes, d’Alembart, Diderot, Voltaire, Alexander Pope, David Hume, Hugh Miller, and Enoch Pond.

The letter to Miss Sparrow of Jan. 14, 1779, first passes on an anecdote that Fletcher told about Voltaire, then goes on to present Wesley’s scathing views on the French writer and his successes.