Summary

Herbert Spencer, though not the scientific thinker he sees himself to be, was extremely important in conditioning the generation’s acceptance of evolution. Compares Spencer and Robert Chambers as teachers, rather than discoverers, of new ideas.

Summary

Thanks for AG’s trouble about the seeds. Is curious to see their germination and the early seedling growth.

Asks for cotton seeds, as he observes odd movements of the cotyledon.

Summary

On Wallace’s need for a regular income. He has been rejected as Superintendent of Epping Forest. Thinks men such as Lubbock, Hooker, and CD might help.

Summary

Reports information sent by E. Schulte [12254] on the colours of the male Diadema bolina.

Discusses extent to which consciousness came into play in the origin of certain instincts, including sexual display.

Summary

Miss Arabella Buckley’s letter on Wallace’s poor health and finances leads CD to seek JDH’s aid in getting a Government pension.

Summary

Discusses possibility of Government pension for Wallace.

Summary

Argues against pension for Wallace because of his spiritualism; the underhanded way he brought about discussion of spiritualism at BAAS; his pocketing money from a bet on the sphericity of the earth; his lack of absolute poverty.

Summary

JDH convinces CD not to press for pension for Wallace.

Summary

Thanks CD for acting on her suggestion about getting Wallace an income; acknowledges the difficulty. Is not sure Wallace would accept government money for doing nothing in return.

Summary

Has discussed with Hooker possibility of Government pension for Wallace. Hooker is pessimistic.

Summary

Thanks CD for trouble over Wallace, even though success not assured.

Summary

Questions CD on the possibility of selecting disease-resisting potatoes to produce ultimately a disease-resistant variety.

Summary

RWD has read "with deep interest" Erasmus Darwin. He has copies of four letters from Erasmus Darwin to his great-grandfather, Richard Dixon, and he encloses a copy of the most interesting one.

Summary

Is sending CD his Illustrated book of poultry in which the chapter on the "Origin of the domestic fowl" may be of interest.

He ventures to mention several errors in Variation.

Mentions the late Mr Lane of Bristol, a celebrated Spanish breeder (of poultry).

Summary

Three letters from Erasmus Darwin to Dixon’s great-grandfather, transcribed by Dixon. Enclosure to a missing letter.

Summary

RAJ is the son of cousins and wishes to marry his cousin. Is anxious for information on consanguineous marriages and on the advisability of his proposed marriage.

Summary

Reports that Phylloxera-resistant vines have been found in an infected region of Portugal.

Summary

What a foolish idea seems to prevail in Germany on the connection between Socialism and Evolution through Natural Selection.

Summary

Asks for a list of books on evolution relating to man.

Summary

Glad to hear about vines.

Hopes JT will be able to continue work without Government aid. "It is enough to sicken one to see how politicians waste their time squabbling and neglect doing any good."