
          & I have now in my winter 
class alone 100 paying students. Indeed 
here or in England I have much cause 
for gratitude. I shall soon lose Joseph, 
for 4 years at least. He is to accompany 
Captn. Jas. [James] Ross to the Antarctic regions, 
& the expedition has now 
the sanction of government & will
be dispatched (the Erebus & the 
Terror) in July & August. Already, 
about the fortnight ago, Joseph completed 
his examinations for M.D. in
this university. He goes, in a month, 
to Edinbh. [Edinburgh] to pass the Faculty of Physns. [Physicians]
& Surgns. [Surgeons] & then to Sir W. [William] Burnett 
the Physn. Genl. [Physician General] to the Navy, who has 
promised to give him an appointment 
directly, & he will be with Dr. Richardson 
till the expedition sail. William 
is laying himself out for practice in Glasgow. 
Our eldest daughter (Maria) is 
soon coming home from England, & our 
2d. daughter goes there for a year & your 
little friend Mary Harriett will ere long
        