Summary

Would like to come to Down on 20th or 21st.

Woolner is unwell.

Summary

Asks whether he ought to write to CD while he is ill.

Wonders if he might use Haast’s notes on introduced animals for a notice he is preparing ["Note on the replacement of species in the colonies and elsewhere", Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 4 (1864): 123–7].

Summary

CD’s Copley Medal. The numbers were ten to eight in CD’s favour but the Cambridge men mustered strongly for Sedgwick.

Summary

A draft letter [but sent in the original state by Emma Darwin]. Approves of FJW’s notice of his views.

CD has slightly revised parts in view of both approving and disapproving critics, but still remains convinced about his fundamental notions.

Summary

Detailed account of progress of Anne’s illness.

Summary

Has been with the Lyells doing geology.

Is reading a biography of Sir W. Scott [J. G. Lockhart, Memoirs of the life of Sir Walter Scott (1837–8)]; also Mungo Park’s book [Travels (1799)].

Has hired a cook at fourteen guineas a year with tea and sugar.

Summary

Invites JL to dine and meet J. S. Henslow.

Summary

Expresses her pleasure at CD’s engagement.

Summary

Is glad WED is in the sixth [form]. Discusses WED’s intention to become a barrister.

Summary

Instructions for woodcuts showing sexual differences in beetles, for Descent.

Summary

Asks WED to observe blushing in the blind, and yawning.

Mentions elephants’ crying while trumpeting.

Summary

Writes of the extension to Down House.

Summary

Thanks for Lady Holland’s kind present. Will only lend it to his sister-in-law and his aunt.

Summary

Cannot write so is using Lily as secretary. Proud to be member of Geological Society. Sends observations of rhododendron leaves. Could not find piece of ploughed land. Has proved Josiah Wedgwood III’s death in North Eastern Railway Company. Taking care because head hurts.

Summary

The Darwin family are anxious for FEEW’s and Hensleigh’s opinions of CD’s journal. EW is convinced that Henry Holland is wrong if he thinks it not worth publishing.

Summary

American publishers will not wait for woodcuts, so asks Murray to have a copy of the reprint sent to Asa Gray. Will call soon to talk about Für Darwin and to hear about sale of latest edition of Origin

Summary

Has found EB’s MS most interesting and valuable. Fully half the facts were new to him; will probably use some.

Summary

Falconer’s death haunts him. Personal annihilation not so horrifying to him as sun cooling some day and human race ending.

His health has been wretched.

Masters has written his agreement with CD’s "Climbing plants".

Summary

Sends GGS examples of feathers from an albino peacock and repeats his query about the zones of colour [see 5950].