Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, in Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his recent trips to Hanover and Brunswick, Germany.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing the difficulty of learning Hebrew during his studies in Erlangen, Germany, and discussing his plans for his final months in Europe.
Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, writes to unknown family member discussing the current political situations among the countries of Europe, including England, France, Germany, Austro-Hungary and Russia.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell discusses South Carolina Reconstruction politics and the dissatisfaction with Governor Robert Scott, and details a day trip with fellow students to explore castle ruins along the Werre River southwest of Gottingen.
Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, writes to brother, Allard Belin Barnwell. Barnwell talks of how being in Europe has made him more of an "American" rather than a "Southerner" and discusses weekly social activities with his compatriots. He mentions the near universal editorial contempt for a recent magazine article by Harriet Beecher Stowe concerning Lord Byron and hopes a similar "justice" will one day fall on "Uncle Tom's Cabin." He also derides the antics of anti-Catholic preacher, John Cumming, and describes the curious wedding custom of smashing crockery and dinnerware at the door of the bride-to-be.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to sister, Esther Hutson Barnwell, commenting on the business-like characteristic of German marriages, his taking weekly tea with the "Fraulein" landlady to improve his German, and the frankness of Germans in regard to personal matters.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to sister, Mary Elliott Barnwell, with details of his instruction in German, a description of local ice skaters and an amusing comparison between the Beaufort newspaper and the London Times.