Summary

Statistics showing rate of decline of population in Sandwich Islands, 1832–72.

Summary

Inherited dental abnormalities in man. [Enclosed are proofs of pp. 113–16 from J. Tomes, A system of dental surgery, 2d ed. (1873).]

Summary

Statement of U. S. sales of Origin, Expression, and Descent.

Summary

Thanks CD for copy of Examiner.

Fear of communism is making CD’s theory popular among possessing classes.

Describes reception of Lyell’s Antiquity of man among German country people.

Summary

Responds to CD’s queries about breeders’ practices in destroying and saving males or females in litters of deerhounds.

Summary

Discusses the evolution of marriage systems; considers the scheme of development CD proposes: 1. Polygyny and monogamy; 2. Polyandry; 3. Promiscuity; 4. Polygyny and monogamy in recurrence. Explains what he understands by promiscuity. JFM believes that polygyny, monogamy, and polyandry must have occurred in "every district from the first, and grown up together into systems sanctioned by usage first and then law". Considers polygyny necessarily the privilege of the few and, as a system, believes it had less to do than any other with the history of marriage. He sees polyandry as an advance from promiscuity and the stage at which contractual obligations between men and their wives begin.

Summary

Sends £40 for copyright to Édmond Barbier’s revision of Moulinié’s Descent translation.

Journal of researches translation is in press.

Summary

Finds statistical evidence that cousin marriages are at least three times as frequent in "our rank" as in the lower.

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Believes that he has an important physical theory: all atoms revolve.

Summary

George brought a plant from Cambridge, which he is keeping for CD.

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Thanks CD for £10 to help with his law case.

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The Bishop of Falkland [Waite Hockin Stirling] is coming to visit BJS, who will question him for CD.

Discusses politics; regrets they have been badly beaten by the Tory candidate.

Summary

Will send CD’s query to eight or ten people.

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Books CD requested have been packed and sent.

He will present CD with the classified catalogue [of Royal Geographical Society].

He has not learned whereabouts of Thomas Staley.

Summary

Comments on G. H. Lewes’s book [The life and works of Goethe (1855)].

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Matters of etiquette concerning his certificate for the Royal Society.

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Sends about 15 sheets on instinct from his book [A philosophical treatise on the nature and constitution of man (1876)] for CD’s comments.

Summary

Asks CD if he can reconcile a passage in Mark Hopkins’ Outline study of man [1873] with the theory of development.

Summary

Birthday greetings.

Summary

On the decline of population of the Hawaiian Islands, before advent of Europeans; infanticide, polyandry.