The letters are to John Murray III. They mostly concern the preparation and publication of various works on architectural history by Fergusson, including:

“The illustrated handbook of architecture: being a concise and popular account of the different styles of architecture prevailing in all ages and countries” (1855);

“Portsmouth protected: a sequel to Portsmouth in peril” (1856);

“A history of architecture in all countries, from the earliest times to the present day” (1865-1867).

Other matters mentioned include Fergusson’s involvement in building work on Murray’s Wimbledon house between 1851 and 1852, and his appointment, 1856, to the post of “General Manager” of the Crystal Palace.

The letters are arranged chronologically.

1849: folios 1-10;

1850-1852: folios 11-47 [Notes 1-2];

1853: folios 48-67;

1854-1855: folios 68-75;

1856-1857: folios 76-103;

1860-1865, 1867-1868: folios 104-148.

Notes.

[Note 1.] Folios 35-36. Letter, 19 July 1852, of Henry Fielden, ?builder, to James Fergusson. The letter, which concerns building work on Murray’s Wimbledon house, has a forwarding note by Fergusson directing it to John Murray III for comment.

[Note 2.] Folio 46. Letter, 28 August 1852, of Edward Bailey, supplier of stoves, to James Fergusson concerning fitting stoves at Murray’s Wimbledon house. The letter was forwarded as an enclosure to Fergusson’s letter to John Murray III, [30 August 1852] (folios 44-45).