Summary

Remarks on Darwinism’s reception. The radical press shies away, out of ignorance, because CD may be made out to be a Tory. He has met a Darwinian Marchioness.

The mystery of sex is the origin of all religion.

Summary

He had no idea that the double function of an excretory passage had played a part in the history of religion.

Summary

Discusses the reception of CD’s views at Cambridge and elsewhere.

Variation delayed by the index, but will appear at the end of the year.

Summary

Sends a letter he wrote in 1862 [see 3482].

Summary

Regrets that he is too busy getting his book [Variation] ready for publication to contribute an article to Fraser’s Magazine.

Summary

CK is drawn into discussions of Darwinism everywhere in Cambridge. The climate has changed in the past three years: the younger M.A.s are greedy to know more and the criticism of the older Fellows has a new tone.

Summary

Criticises the Duke of Argyll’s book [Reign of law (1867)], particularly on sexual selection.

But CD overlooks God’s intention to instruct man by nature’s beauty.

Criticism of anonymous article in North British Review [by Fleeming Jenkin, 46 (1867): 277–318].

CK supports large sports in response to large environmental changes.

Summary

Discusses the Duke of Argyll’s book [Reign of law (1867)].

Cites his own views on diversity of structure and beauty.

Encloses letter from Wallace. Sexual selection: evidence advanced by Wallace.

Discusses correlation of growth.

Comments on article in the North British Review [by Fleeming Jenkin].

Discusses the evidence from physics on the age of the earth.

[Four pages of the final letter are missing, but the draft is complete.]

Summary

Will introduce Charles Kingsley to CD.

Summary

CD is invited to see ARW’s collections at Bayswater.

ARW has written an answer to the Duke of Argyll and North British Review criticisms.

Summary

Has received a copy of an attack on CD ["Darwinian theory examined"] from the author, but does not know who it is.

Summary

Encloses letter written a week ago. Letter and enclosure speculate on origins of human races in relation to geological and political changes, according to a theory of progressive development.

Was sorry CD wrote so little on man in Origin.

Summary

Has been reading [H. C. Fleeming Jenkin’s] review in North British Review. Would answer it if not so lazy.

Has read Mount Sorel [A. Marsh-Caldwell (1845)] and Disraeli’s life of Lord G. Bentinck [1852]. Bad science, bad literature, bad politics.

Summary

Thanks WED for a present.

Discusses the Duke of Argyll’s Reign of law [1867].

Is busy revising proofs [of Variation].

Summary

Discusses hybridisation in cowslip and primrose.

Mentions proposed visit.

Summary

On the Duke of Argyll and a review of his Reign of law.

Asa Gray’s theological view of variation. God’s role in formation of organisms; JDH’s view of Providence.

Insular and continental genera.

Owen on continuity and ideal types

and on bones of Mauritius deer.

On man.