Summary

CD sends some sheets [of 6th ed. of Origin]. Informs JVC that he is having it stereotyped, so he can never again make any serious alterations. "The little strength left to me shall be employed on new works."

Summary

Compares Origin to Newton’s Principia and Adam Smith’s Wealth of nations.

His view of CD’s response to Mivart.

On mammae;

gradualism of evolution;

suicide among savages.

Summary

Will send second proofs of Expression.

Glad JVC has finished translating Origin.

Assures him that Mivart’s book [On the genesis of species (1871)] has produced a great effect in England and America. CD has discussed incipient structures at some length because it enabled him to give many cases of gradation.

Asks JVC to note that he does not vouch for Expression’s being worth translating.

Summary

Regrets that his health will prevent his attending concerts in aid of the Rifle Corps Fund.

Summary

Thanks JVC for correcting his blunder on spelling of "Arrotino" [see Expression, p. 184]. "No Frenchman has a greater tendency to spell all proper names wrongly than I have."

Summary

Has sent sheets of Expression.

Summary

Has not strength nor time to alter and improve Variation.

First English edition of Expression now at 9000 copies.

Summary

Thanks JVC for his History of zoology [Geschichte der Zoologie bis auf Joh. Müller und Charl. Darwin (1872)]. Considers the title one of the greatest honours ever paid him.

Reports on foreign orders for the heliotype plates of Expression.

Summary

Reports on very successful sale of Expression in England. Suggests German publisher keep the type set up in case more than the expected 3000 copies are needed.

Has begun work on some old botanical observations [of Drosera for Insectivorous plants].

Summary

Thanks JVC for his criticisms and corrections of Expression. Asks him to alter his translation accordingly.

Summary

Will consider JVC’s comments on Expression when he prepares a new edition.

Summary

AT is trying to publish his paper with important evidence on "the pluvial period".

Summary

O. N. Rood sends two copies of an amusing picture by T. F. Beard, "The young Darwinian" to AG, who forwards one to CD.

Summary

Privately advises CD against having anything to do with W. P. Snow, whose personality and past conduct on a mission vessel were very bad.

Reports on the successes of the missionaries on the Beagle Channel [Tierra del Fuego].

Summary

Thanks for her pains over corrections [for Expression].

Summary

AE, philosophy professor, is disposed to accept natural selection, but argues that it lacks direction. Suggests that direction would be given if one assumed the appearance of multiple advantageous traits in a single individual. Cites Herbert Spencer, Rudolf Virchow, Claude Bernard, and Carl Vogt.

Summary

Thanks him for interesting letter from a Mr Wood on heredity in fruit-trees.

Summary

Remarks about an enclosed specimen,

and extract of letter from W. A. L. Marshall [8560].

ARW’s good review of J. C. Houzeau de Lehaie [Études sur les facultés mentales des animaux, in Nature 6 (1872): 469–71].

Summary

Thanks GHD for extracts, but says the subject of music is beyond him.

Suggests that GHD deliberate over one or two sentences of his paper on dress ["Developments in dress", Macmillan’s Mag. 22 (1872): 410–16].

Refers to prospective marriage of Amy [Ruck and CD’s son Francis].

Summary

CD hopes the Times abstract of minutes of Lords of the Treasury will make JDH’s position more comfortable.

The "wretched Lords" make CD indignant, but "nothing equals Owen’s conduct. – I used to be ashamed of hating him so much, but now I will carefully cherish my hatred & contempt to the last day of my life."