Summary

Discusses bees’ cells

and WED’s botanical interests.

Summary

Relates events at home;

hopes WED gets the scholarship.

Summary

Discusses domestic affairs.

Is working at the abstract of his book [Origin].

Asks WED to examine birds’ feet for dirt sticking to them, as this may represent a means of seed dispersal across seas.

Summary

Sends £20. Family news.

Answers WED’s questions about CD’s Journal of researches: Galapagos "productions" all came from America, but "they have since been modified by my principle of Natural Selection".

Summary

Writes to WED about his living arrangements at Christ’s College; reminisces about his own Cambridge days.

Summary

Glad WED has begun under George Henslow in the way that he has. CD wishes he had had such practice under J. S. Henslow.

Has had luck in his search for striped horses.

Summary

Discusses matters relating to WED’s first term [at Cambridge].

Summary

Approves of WED’s moving into CD’s old rooms [at Christ’s College]. Gives fatherly advice on Cambridge’s temptation to idleness. Christmas plans.

Health poor of late.

Summary

Sends WED a bank draft.

Summary

Discusses events at Moor Park and domestic matters.

Summary

Sends cheque.

Summary

Writes of events at Down: mostly of playing billiards on their new table.

Summary

Discusses WED’s plans for the summer.

Summary

Reports events at Down.

Is busy with proofs [of Origin];

is anxious to hear how WED does in his examinations.

Summary

Discusses affairs at Down and WED’s coming trip to the Lakes.

Is getting on very slowly with his "confounded proof-sheets" [of Origin].

Summary

Writes of a visit to Leith Hill and WED’s injured ankle.

Summary

Tells how to get information on, and gain membership in, the London Library.

Summary

Discusses events at Ilkley.

Summary

Discusses the direction of WED’s studies.

Tells of the response to the Origin and the impact that it has made in England and abroad.

Summary

Tells of Etty’s [Henrietta]’s illness and progress; their future plans.

Mentions some responses to the Origin; the naturalists are fighting over it in North America.