The notebook contains notes and draft versions of Joule's published papers including "On the air engine"; "Researches on the thermal effects of elastic fluids", and "On matter, living force, and heat", which was delivered as a lecture at St Ann's Church, Manchester in 1847. There are also notes by Joule on "Observations on the explosive force of gun cotton" and "Remarks upon the influence of education on crime".
Former references: Lowery ref. 3; Pate ref. 181.