This series of letters written from Dr Gilbert Burnett to Lady Russell concern: his high regard for Lady Russell and his certainty that she is distinguished among women; his opinion that she is wise to divert herself with the education of her children such that she won't need a governess; a visit to Woburn when the Master of the Rolls is out of town; her grief and his prayer to God to provide her with comfort; the forbidding of Dr Burnett in the Rolls Chapel by the Lord Keeper; the death of Sidney and the Duke of Monmouth; the war between Spain and France; parliament; Lady Russell's continued sorrow; the customs of Christmas unique to England; the difficulty of finding a Christian in Christendom; his sadness in the factions in England and Ireland over a holy religion; news from Holland; the unfounded views of Burnett as an enemy of the Church of England; his charge in the Hague; what is being said in the name of the Bishop of London in Holland and Burnett's wish to know if he has given permission for this; the good reputation of the Marquess of Halifax's son; Mr Cutts who has come from Vienna; the health of Lady Russell's children; his wife's high esteem for Lady Russell and her wishes to her; siege at "London Derry"; news of "MaCarty" driving protestants to London Derry; the unknown whereabouts of the French fleet; the removal of two marquesses from the House of Commons [Marquess of Halifax and Camarthen]; the blessing of the recovery of her children from illness; his best wishes for Lady Roos's recovery and his request to come and talk with Lady Russell urgently in her closet.
There is also a fragment of a copy of a letter supposedly from Dr Burnett to the Lord Treasurer Godolphin.
He also briefly mentions in passing: Mr Hoskins; Mr Pardege; the Earl of Bedford; Sir Rowland Guiness; the Pretender and Lady Galloway.