Summary

Thinks CD has no need to reply to Samuel Butler’s hostile article [in the Athenæum]. Offers to reply himself.

Summary

Thanks for honour of latest number of Kosmos.

Summary

Replies to EK’s queries about German translation of CD’s preface to Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Asks permission to print translation of "A biographical sketch of an infant" [Collected papers 2: 191–200] in Kosmos.

Notes divisions among German Darwinists.

Summary

Butler’s reply to EK is a renewed attack on CD. Urges EK not to answer it. His last letter contains everything necessary. Asks EK for dates of CD’s letter asking EK’s permission to publish a translation of his article [on Erasmus Darwin] and of the letter in which he told EK that Butler’s book had been advertised.

Summary

CD is glad to hear that EK plans a short historical discussion on evolution [in Erasmus Darwin],

but hopes he will not spend much powder and shot on Butler – his ephemeral work is not worth it. Sends a review [of Evolution, old and new].

Summary

EK may publish a translation [of "Sketch of an infant"] if he wishes, but CD hardly thinks it deserves the honour.

Glad to hear that Kosmos succeeds fairly well; has found several articles interesting.

Summary

German edition of Erasmus Darwin delayed because Murray has not sent phototypes and galvanographs.

Two of CD’s articles from Nature to appear in April Kosmos ["Sexual colours in butterflies", Collected papers 2: 220–2, Kosmos 7 (1880): 72–4;

"Fertility of hybrids from the Chinese goose", Collected papers 2: 219–20, Kosmos 7 (1880): 77–8].

Moritz Wagner will begin a series criticising natural selection.

Summary

What are functions of "yeomen of the armoury" on p. 1? Who is "old Hooker" on p. 34? Needs to explain them in annotations [to Erasmus Darwin].

Summary

Has written to Balfour concerning the Butler affair.

Summary

Has read Dallas’ translation of first part of EK’s essay [on Erasmus Darwin]. Has sent his MS to printer. Is perplexed by duplication. Thinks EK’s essay is better than his. Wishes he had sent all his material to him for a single biography. Best plan may be for EK to incorporate whatever he thinks useful in CD’s material.

Summary

Wants to finish revision of MS on Erasmus Darwin before Dallas begins translation. Has discussed possible German edition with Carl Alberts.

Summary

CD and his brother Erasmus have read EK’s article on Erasmus Darwin. Asks whether EK would object to a translation by W. Dallas, to be offered to Fortnightly Review or to be published at CD’s expense as a book.

Summary

CD is pleased with EK’s account in Kosmos [8 (1880–1): 321–2] of the Buffon and Coleridge passage [cited by Samuel Butler, see 12939, 12969]. Would like a translation published in England, but Butler seeks notoriety and would make unscrupulous use of it. Will ask advice. Thinks EK’s letter to Popular Science Monthly, just received, an excellent reply to Butler.

Summary

Agrees to EK’s proposals [for publishing Erasmus Darwin]. Will send sheets to Paris, but is not sure there will be a French translation.

Summary

Encloses a letter from CD to C.-F. Reinwald for EK to read, and if he approves, to send on.

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

Samuel Butler’s fierce attack on CD and EK in Athenæum. CD’s sentence saying that EK had altered his Kosmos article was accidentally omitted from second proofs. Butler insinuates that EK’s attack on his book was suggested by CD or interpolated by him in EK’s text.

Summary

Shocked by Karl Alberts’ behaviour in dealing with Murray. Will write to ask him what it means. Thanks for arranging matters with Reinwald.

Summary

Rejects proposal that CD’s sketch appear as a supplement or appendix to his own. Offers alternative suggestions. Proposes title-page for German edition of Erasmus Darwin.