Summary

Discusses blushing. CD believes confusion of mind alone can account for it. Sends MS for JC-B’s comments and corrections.

Summary

Reports further observations on contraction of platysma. Has been assisted by J. Wood. [See Expression, pp. 302, 303.]

Summary

Has no idea who wrote the Times review [of Descent]. Writer has no knowledge of science and "seems a windbag full of metaphysics & classics".

Summary

Corroborates and offers explanation of fact that male ghost-moths (Hepialis humuli) closely resemble females. [See Descent 1: 402.]

Summary

Reports safe arrival of rabbits.

Summary

Is reading Descent.

Encloses some answers to CD’s queries about expressions of Laura Bridgman.

Summary

Cannot provide comment on GF’s paper for publication. Hopes GF will publish in Nature. Will consider his remarks when revising book [Descent].

Summary

Thanks for FPC’s book (presumablyAlone to the alone: prayers for theists (Cobbe ed. 1871)).

CD much interested in article ‘Darwinism in morals’ in the Theological Review (Cobbe 1871).

CDs and FPC’s views on moral sense in hive bees, and an article in the Pall Mal Gazette ([Morley] 1871b).

Summary

Comments on JM’s review of Descent, vol. 2 [Pall Mall Gaz. 13 (1871): 1358–9].

Mistake CD made "in speaking of greatest happiness as the foundation of morals" is unintelligible to CD. Discusses J. S. Mill’s view of moral feelings as natural. Discusses basis of conscience.

Glad to read remarks on hive-bees.

Summary

Sends German edition of Descent, vol. 1. Expects good sale. Hopes CD will offer him additional books to publish.

Summary

Objects to the negative reviews of Descent, notably in the Athenæum and the Times.

The exceptions are the Academy, Nature, and his own, in the Field [37 (1871): 210].

Summary

Thanks for the report of CLB’s lecture about Descent to the New York Liberal Club on 3 March 1871.

Sends four photographs of himself for the sculptor J. W. A. MacDonald.

Summary

Answers to questions about expression.

Summary

Is sending notes on blushing. Offers information on physiology and pathology of blushing.

Has sent photograph of seven imbeciles in one family.

Summary

Thanks for the information about the passages in Xenophon and Horace.

Summary

Encloses two questions he hopes MF can answer: the mechanism of transmission by nerves; and the mechanism by which contemplating part of our body, we become conscious of its existence

Summary

Raises two points on CD’s view, in Descent [2: 229], on how aquatic birds acquire white plumage.

Also remarks on effect of will in certain human modifications,

on colour-blindness in his children,

and on ability to move his ears.

Summary

Gratified that CD approves his analysis of CD’s views of moral sense. Does not think there is a fundamental difference between J. S. Mill (Utilitarianism [1863], p. 45) and CD.

His view of those who object to CD’s "new doctrine of the moral sense".

Summary

Man’s spiritual life separates him from other animals.

Why are moths attracted, often fatally, to lights?

Thanks for copy of Descent.

Summary

Has had Hinrich Nitsche’s pointed ear photographed. Nitsche also has photographed the ear of a foetal orang. [See Descent 1: 21–3.]