Summary

Asks CD questions relating to the revised translation of Origin.

Summary

Answers JVC’s questions about the rock-thrush, the tortoise-shell cat, and the logger-headed duck.

Summary

Sends CD an English translation of his preface to the revised German edition of Origin and asks his opinion of it.

Asks CD where he might get a specimen of Eozoon.

Summary

CD thinks JVC’s preface is fair to Bronn. Regrets JVC has not added notes of his own, but, having dropped Bronn’s appendix, it is perhaps best to leave the text without comment. Rejoices that the German public can now judge the Origin fairly.

Has written to W. B. Carpenter for a specimen of Eozoon to send to JVC.

Summary

JVC is willing to translate [Variation], especially because of his conviction that progress of biology depends on proving CD’s theory.

Ernst Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)] will do mischief because EH is so immoderate. Suggests CD tell EH that he has done him a bad service. CD is the only one to whom EH would listen.

Summary

CD is delighted that JVC will undertake translation of Variation.

Agrees with JVC’s opinion of Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)]. CD believes it is bad policy for Haeckel to speak so positively about a disputed theory [i.e., CD’s] and particularly regrets the severity of EH’s criticisms of other authors.

Summary

Asks CD to decide which translator he would prefer for Variation. JVC frankly thinks Carl Vogt not the best man to introduce CD to the German public, though he has a greater name than JVC.

Vogt now preaches materialism in its most absurd form.

Summary

Reassures JVC [who had received the impression that CD would prefer Carl Vogt as translator of Variation].

CD surprised at receipt of an application for a Russian translation.

Summary

JVC is having difficulty in translating the names of dogs [in Variation]. Also asks CD for help with names of pigeons.

Summary

Thanks JVC for his biography [of CD].

Has almost finished first proofs of Variation.

Has difficulty in answering JVC’s queries about dogs because of differences in German names and breeds. Refers him to A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1868] and, on pigeons, to Gottlob Neumeister’s book [Das Ganze der Taubenzucht (1837)].

Hopes JVC is not discouraged by first volume. Thinks second will be more interesting.

Summary

Asks CD’s help in translating names and descriptions of fowls [in Variation].

Summary

Some sheets of Variation have gone astray.

Summary

CD provides explanations and advice on translating names and descriptions of breeds of fowls.

Summary

Sends a corrected revise to replace a sheet which has been lost in the mail.

Summary

Anxious to read the second volume [of Variation].

Appreciates "the way in which you [CD] teach us all how to look on, and how to study, nature".

Summary

Concerning German translation of Variation. Fears chapter 27 Pangenesis is very wild, but believes physiologists will some day be compelled to admit some such doctrine.

Summary

Asks CD for exact title of Variation for German advertisement.

Summary

Sends corrected title of Variation and report of progress in printing.

Summary

Is not writing prospectus [of Variation] – merely sketch of contents and tenor of first volume for advertisement to booksellers.

Questions on details for the translation.

Publisher anxious to get volume out.

Summary

Sends revision of vol. 1 [of Variation]. Advance sale at auction sold 1200 copies, to CD’s great surprise. Publication delayed by index.