Summary

Sends compliments and thanks.

Summary

Reports that Variation is out of print. Suggests means of obtaining a copy.

Summary

CD is obliged for a note he will use for a new [2d] edition of Variation [1875].

Summary

Turns down an offer to undertake a German translation of one of his works.

Summary

"The learned Darwin states that Moses taught confusion. | For Man, he boldly says, descends from Ape or Monkey – | I, having read his book, am come to this conclusion | Darwin (at least himself) descends from Ass or Donkey."

Summary

Tells correspondent how to locate Michael Faraday’s widow [Sarah Barnard].

Summary

Darwin consents to his correspondence with Pieter Harting being published in Nature.

Summary

No uniform edition of CD’s works has appeared in England.

Summary

Explains that there is no need for the addressee to apologise.

Summary

Agrees that time alone can do nothing to modify species.

Is aware that the Papaveraceae are self-fertile but feels this does not preclude an occasional cross.

Summary

Sends photograph.

Summary

Requests skins of domestic breeds or races of poultry, pigeons, rabbits, cats, and dogs from any unfrequented region. [Attached is a list of people to whom CD has written for pigeon and poultry skins.]

Summary

Thanks for offer of Helix for experiment. Asks for assistance. Mentions failure of his own experiment involving Helix pomatia.

Summary

Erasmus Alvey Darwin has rheumatism; his sisters complain of his bad temper but CD thinks him very good tempered. CD has received a new cabinet. [This is the first of six entries written in a "Memorandum book" comprising four sheets folded into a gather and sewn together in book form. The entries are in the style of letters addressed to an unnamed friend and are dated between 1 and 12 January 1822, shortly before CD’s thirteenth birthday. As they were written straight into the memorandum book, it is clear that they were never sent through the post, but were either to an imaginary recipient, or intended to be read by someone in the household, possibly CD’s youngest sister, Emily Catherine Darwin (Catherine).]

Summary

Erasmus Alvey Darwin is good tempered and their sisters have "not abused at all". Hopes the recipient will help "in looking out and washing the fossils out of the plate closet".

Summary

"Monseur Beodoes" is inquisitive and impertinent; Mr Bayly "was formerly a devlish boor". Asks who his sisters have been talking about.

Summary

Likes Mariane who is very good to Miss Jones; CD bought cakes in town while Mariane visited Miss Jones; he was embarrassed to be shown into her bedroom when he returned. Miss Clare has had an accident.

Summary

Caroline disapproves of his not washing.

Summary

Was joined by Colonel Burgh Leighton when walking in the quarry. Plans to make caves next summer to store "warlike instruments" and "relicks". Sketches a design for a signalling device. May go with his father to visit the Earl of Powys at Walcot; visited Mrs and Miss Reynolds and William Pemberton Cludde.

Summary

Memorandum about £250 investment in Patent Siliceous Stone Company, owned by David Thomas Ansted and Frederick Ransome.