Summary

Hearty thanks for the two bottles of pure water.

Summary

Has just read GA’s article in Fortnightly Review ["A problem of human evolution", 31 (1879): 778–86]. GA’s views very probable. Something wonderful to hear anyone defending sexual selection.

Summary

Thinks it better to send proofs of his preface [to Erasmus Darwin] rather than MS – he always corrects proofs heavily. Doubts that it is worth translating into German – it is written for the English public. Supposes EK will not object to a French translation and an American edition of the little book. Has written a dozen pages during a break

in his experimental work [on movement of plants].

Summary

CD is leaving home for three weeks’ rest. If EK finishes his life of Dr Darwin while CD is away, asks him to send the MS to W. S. Dallas for translation. CD will begin his preface, but needs rest and will not do much until he returns.

Summary

Leaves home on 6th for a rest.

Will commence writing Erasmus Darwin.

Apologises for keeping RD’s various books for so long a time.

Summary

Encourages JT’s experiments. His case of flowering of black potatoes is curious. CD surprised that they are odoriferous and visited by bees. This letter was thought to be to David Moore, because it was in the private collection of a descendant, but is extremely close to a draft to JT on the letter from JT, 30 April 1879 (DCP-LETT-12020). It is not known how it passed from JT to David Moore.

Summary

Asks GHD to look in Cambridge University Library for Monthly Magazine articles containing a malicious calumny concerning Dr [Erasmus] D[arwin] [see Erasmus Darwin, pp. 65–70].

Summary

Asks GHD to look for a life of Sir Henry Rayburn [Raeburn] "who is spoken of as famous and who painted Charles Darwin [1758–1778] when dead". Asks why he painted the corpse.

Summary

A big book arrived for GHD before CD left Down. Hopes it is Thomson and Tait [Treatise on natural philosophy, 2 vols., 2d ed. (1869)]. It shows what they think of GHD.

Thinks it grand if GHD has made a correction about "such an old sinner as the Sun" and hopes his arithmetic on his old subject will turn out right.

Summary

Believes it absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent theist and evolutionist; gives the examples of Kingsley and Asa Gray. As regards CD’s own views, his judgement often fluctuates but "I have never been an Atheist in the sense of denying the existence of God". Thinks that "generally (and more and more as I grow older) … an Agnostic would be the most correct description of my state of mind".

Summary

Answers EK’s queries about Erasmus Darwin’s friends and relations. Will rectify Anna Seward’s false account of Dr Darwin’s conduct. Advises EK to leave to him the account of the Darwin family. Declines EK’s offer to allow CD to alter his MS. Fears repetition in the two essays. They can judge how best to present the material when they have seen each other’s manuscripts.

Summary

Appreciates award of the Baly Medal and hopes to attend ceremony on 26 June.

Summary

CD is particularly obliged for the copy of Maria Edgeworth’s letter.

Summary

CD astonished at receiving the Baly Medal of the Royal College of Physicians.

Summary

Assures EK he will lose no time in writing his essay [on Erasmus Darwin].

A book by Samuel Butler on Erasmus Darwin and Lamarck has been announced [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. Will have a copy sent to EK.

Summary

Assures EK that he will not change his mind about publishing a translation of EK’s article on Erasmus Darwin. It is unfortunate that Samuel Butler should have published [Evolution, old and new] just then, but that does not change CD’s determination.

Butler is clever, but knows no science. His views that cells have memory and the power of wishing – even if correct – cannot explain how they could change themselves chemically or structurally.

EK can do anything he likes with CD’s preface [to Erasmus Darwin].

Summary

Sends some queries connected with his writing of the biographical preface to Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Refers EJC to papers by G. J. Romanes ["Animal intelligence", Nineteenth Century 4 (1878): 653–72] and William James ["Brute and human intellect", J. Speculative Philos. 12 (1878): 236–76] on the mind of animals.

Summary

Has GA seen an article on GA’s Colour-sense by a great man, J. R. L. Delboeuf, in Revue Scientifique 24 May 1879? It has pleased CD greatly.

Summary

CD’s preface [for Erasmus Darwin] is delayed by his sitting for a portrait.

Explains to EK why he feels unable to contribute articles to Kosmos.