Summary

Congratulations on George’s attaining Second Wrangler.

Variation has just arrived. Wishes he had two heads or a body that needed no rest.

Summary

Returns [Wallace] memorial.

Hopes to be able to send classification paper soon. [See 12935.]

Summary

Sees no use in a deputation. Suggests CD send the memorial with a letter.

Family news.

Summary

Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].

Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].

Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.

Summary

Owen on the branchiae of Balanidae.

The Edinburgh Review article on the Origin [by Owen, 111 (1860): 487–532] full of misrepresentations, with a brutal attack on THH.

Summary

Thinks THH’s [Anniversary] Address [to Geological Society, Feb 1862, Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 18 (1862): xl–liv] a wonderful condensed and original summary of palaeontology.

Summary

Refers to "Devonshire Man"’s attack on him ["Professor Huxley’s last new theory", Pall Mall Gaz. 18 Jan 1870, p. 6]. His intention to answer – a waste, except for political bearing of Celt question ["Professor Huxley on Celts and Teutons", Pall Mall Gaz. 21 Jan 1870, p. 6].

Summary

Will support the petition for a pension for Wallace.

CD’s paragraph [about Wyville Thomson, see 12796] was so good that if he had written it he would have sent it to the printer, but [for CD] it is best to refrain.

Summary

The Huxley fund amounts to £1955. CD trembles about THH’s answer.

Summary

Describes lecture at Royal Institution by J. S. Burdon Sanderson on movement of plants and animals; JSBS’s preliminary part was so long that he never got to the plants.

Comments on the triumph of the ladies in the voting at Cambridge.

Mentions F. Galton’s visit to Down, a call on the Huxleys, and a visit with the Duke of Argyll.

Tells a story about the absent-mindedness of Burdon Sanderson.

Summary

Thanks for 4th ed. of Origin.

What a basting CD gives "our mutual friend" [Owen].

Glad he argrees with THH on Jamaica affair [Gov. Eyre and the "rebellion"].

Summary

Has returned from holiday. Family news.

Concern over Hooker’s health.

Summary

Sends proof of article for Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].

Is grieved to hear that Mivart is author of Quarterly Review article. THH thought better of him than that.

Compares the Origin to Plato’s Republic: "it will remain fresh for two thousand years".

Summary

Responds to THH’s questioning of his observations on cirripede anatomy with extensive discussion of what he observed. Admits his elementary knowledge of microscopical structures but seriously doubts he has erred. Cement glands, ovarian tubes, etc.

Summary

Has heard from Haeckel the story of refusal [by Humboldt fund] of Berlin Academy to support him because he was supporter of Darwin. R. Virchow has been so unfair to Haeckel that THH is inclined to think it is a true account. But obtaining the funds in England is extremely difficult.

Summary

Congratulates EH on birth of child.

Mentions projected translation of Generelle Morphologie.

Comments on EH’s last book [Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte]. Criticises EH’s statements on palaeontology.

Summary

BAAS Norwich meeting. Hooker [President] came out in great force. "Darwinismus" spread over the sections and crept into everything. CD will have rare happiness of seeing his ideas triumph during his life.

Summary

Answers CD on transitional forms. Has no doubt Zeuglodon is transitional form between Carnivora and Cetacea.

Met Mivart in Manchester. Some doubt that he was the author of Quarterly Review article.

Summary

Surprised at Kölliker’s misunderstanding; of Flourens he could have believed anything.

Family news.

Summary

A Dr Sarazin offers services as translator.

Will read CD’s letter about Robert Swinhoe to Royal Society Council and see what can be done for him.