Summary

Thanks BJS for his interesting letter about parrots and language.

Summary

Congratulates BJS on his K.C.B.

In autumn he will publish a book partly on man [Descent], which he expects "many will decry as very wicked".

Thinks the success of the Tierra del Fuego mission is wonderful.

Summary

Thanks for account of Fuegians

and news about old "Beaglers".

Has been reading A. A. Brassey [Around the world in the yacht "Sunbeam" (1878)].

Summary

Suggests BJS write to Louis Agassiz about his [fossil mammal?] specimens but doubts that he will have time to do the work. Regrets they were ignored at the Royal College of Surgeons; thinks Owen neglected many things because he was overworked.

Summary

The only mainland vegetation he saw on Falkland Island shores were trees. Remembers no strange birds there, but on journey home saw a woodcock more than 500 miles from the nearest land.

Summary

BJS was pleased to see CD’s son [William] and his wife at Charles Langton’s.

His own son is preparing for marriage.

Reports meeting a former Beagle shipmate.

Summary

Hopes to visit CD with Mellersh and Wickham the week after next.

Summary

Reports on his family’s illnesses and other domestic matters.

Summary

Arranges to come to Down on the 21st if CD is well enough.

Summary

Confirms arrangements for his trip to Down.

Summary

Sends some tickets so that CD’s son might see [an unspecified] model.

Summary

If Wickham remains in town and CD is well enough, BJS thinks they might come about the 22d.

Summary

Recounts case of parrot whose talking seems to show "power of connecting definite sounds with definite ideas" [see Descent, 2d ed., p. 85 n.].

Has not seen CD’s daughter yet. Hopes the fine weather will continue while she is there [in Bournemouth].

Summary

J. C. Wickham and Arthur Mellersh are in town and BJS wonders whether there is any chance CD might join them.

Summary

BJS has just moved.

Gives the information he has of their old shipmates.

Tells of his brother’s misfortunes.

Summary

Discusses the South American mission.

Has been busy digging out fossil leaves from local Eocene deposits.

Summary

Reports on his health.

Discusses a surveying expedition under Richard Charles Mayne on which his son will be Second Lieutenant; hopes to arrange for them to excavate some bones in the Falklands.

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

Gives further details on his grapes.

Tells of his recent movements and state of health.