Summary

Appreciative response to ARW’s "grand review" of Descent in the Academy [2 (1871–2): 177–82]. Comments in detail on ARW’s criticisms.

Summary

Sends notes on Fritz Müller’s letter.

Summary

Sends enclosure for ARW to read.

Summary

Responds to ARW’s comments on CD’s argument about protection in Descent.

Comments on St G. Mivart’s criticism [Genesis of species (1871)]. "The pendulum will now swing against us."

Summary

Although their language is different, the Bugis are typical Malays both physically and mentally.

Summary

On a "remarkable" letter from Fritz Müller [see 7820] about mimicry, protection, and sexual selection.

Summary

CD is allowing his family to decide whether Chauncey Wright’s paper on Mivart is dull.

Health and despondency.

Doubts his ability to answer Mivart successfully [in 6th ed. of Origin].

Summary

Sorry CD allows criticisms of Darwinism to worry him.

Summary

Chauncey Wright’s article is sound, but so obscure ARW doubts utility of printing it separately.

Gives his own detailed analysis of Mivart’s attack.

Summary

On the flourishing sales of their respective books. Mentions reviews of Descent in Pall Mall Gazette [21 Mar 1871] and in the Spectator [11 Mar 1871, pp. 288–9; 18 Mar 1871, pp. 319–20].

Summary

Response to [vol. 1 of] CD’s Descent.

Not yet convinced on sexual selection and protection, though their differences are not so great as CD thinks.

On man, he does not think CD has accounted for every step of his development by "ascertained laws".

Summary

Sends ARW advance copy of vol. 1 [of Descent] for his review in Academy. Vol. 2 is delayed by index. "Do not swear at me more than you can help."

Summary

Recommends [W. M. Williams] The fuel of the sun [1870] as remarkably illuminating about physical astronomy. Williams solves the problem of duration of sun’s heat in "a most satisfactory manner".

Summary

Asks whether Bugis [Buggess] are Malays. [See 7587.]

Summary

Response to Wallace’s article ["The colours of animals and plants", Macmillan’s Mag. (Sept 1877)] on sexual colours and "voluntary" sexual selection.

Summary

Admiration for vol. 2 of Descent, and plans for his review of it for the Academy [2 (1871): 177–82].

News of his new residence.

Summary

Reports on sales and reception of his book [Descent]. Thanks HED for her help.

Wallace’s article in the Academy [2 (1870–1): 177–82] shows CD has had no influence on him; the review has had hardly any influence on CD.

Summary

Opinions on Descent.

Sexual selection and mimicry in Lepidoptera; sexual selection as an aid to protective imitation.

Summary

Requests advice about Chauncey Wright’s article on Mivart’s Genesis of species [North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 64–103]. CD thinks of publishing it as a pamphlet to counter impact of Mivart’s criticism of natural selection.

Summary

Is disappointed at high price, 7s 6d, being considered for the cheap edition of the Origin [6th ed.]. Has been told that, in Lancashire, workmen club together to buy the Origin.

Little chance that Expression will be done this autumn.