Summary

CD expected AS’s "strong disapprobation" of his book [Origin] but is grieved "to have shocked a man whom I sincerely honour". Has worked "like a slave" on the subject for over 20 years and is not conscious that bad motives have influenced the conclusions at which he has arrived. CD does not think the book will be mischievous and "if I be wrong I shall soon be annihilated". CD may have written too confidently from feeling confident that no "false theory would explain so many classes of facts".

Summary

Thanks AS for his kindness towards himself and his family. Looks back with great satisfaction to his last visit ("as it will probably prove") to Cambridge.

Summary

Has told Murray to send AS a copy of Origin. CD’s conclusion is diametrically opposed to that which AS has often advocated, but he assures AS he does not send his book out of a spirit of bravado.

Summary

Thanks AS for congratulations on George Darwin’s Trinity fellowship.

Reminiscence of his geological tour of North Wales with AS and the encouraging messages received during the Beagle voyage.

Summary

CD informs AS of the position of the Council of the Geological Society on recommending J. B. Jukes for a geological survey of Newfoundland. Feels Jukes’s application would have best chance of success if Sedgwick, his Professor at Cambridge, wrote a letter.

Summary

Thanks AS for a copy of his book, Discourse [on the studies of the University, 5th ed.].

Thinking of not sending his eldest son [William] to a classical school.

Summary

Sorry to hear of AS’s poor health.

Would like to attend Aberdeen meeting [BAAS, 1859] but is unfit for so great an exertion. Has been told he has "suppressed gout".

Pleased that AS remembers their 1831 geological trip, which made CD appreciate the noble science of geology.

Summary

Writes of CD’s recent visit to Cambridge and the joy it gave him.

Summary

Congratulates CD on election of his son [George] as a Fellow of Trinity College.

Describes his ill health.

Invites CD to visit Cambridge.

[Letter dated November in error.]

Summary

Referee report on CD’s "Volcanic phenomena in South America" [Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Deductions incontrovertible, but theoretical remarks not clearly stated.

Summary

Reports on his geological work in N. Wales since he and CD parted. Answers CD’s queries.

Summary

Thanks CD for the Origin; AS has read the book "with more pain than pleasure". CD has deserted "the true method of induction" and many of his wide conclusions are "based upon assumptions which can neither be proved nor disproved". His "grand principle – natural selection" is "but a secondary consequence of supposed, or known, primary facts".

Summary

Referee’s report on "Elevation on the coast of Chili" [(1838), Collected papers 1: 41–3] and paper by Alexander Caldcleugh on same subject. Recommends printing CD’s in Transactions and shortening Caldcleugh’s. [W. Lonsdale’s note shows CD’s paper withdrawn 15 Nov 1837, Caldcleugh’s ordered not printed 15 Nov 1837.]

Summary

Is glad of CD’s appointment and hopes it will be a source of happiness and honour.

Answers a query about books.

Suggests CD go to Geological Society, present himself, as AS’s friend, to William Lonsdale and study the Society’s collection.

Tells CD of his work in Wales; includes a diagram and explanations.

Ramsay’s death a grievous loss.