Summary

Thanks for CD’s comments on his paper ["On a point relating to brain dynamics", Nature 22 (1880): 29–30].

Contends that self-interest as a motive for conduct is more salutary than is generally thought, and should be considered in the evolution of morality.

Summary

Thanks for two pamphlets;

Otto Zöckler’s [Darwin’s Grossvater (1880)] he thinks worthless.

Summary

Thanks CD for the loan of a book;

discusses his family’s health and other domestic affairs.

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S. M. Hersfeld [Herzfeld] has applied to WS for financial assistance in order to retrieve some books and apparatus from a carrier. He has previously been aided by CD, so WS seeks his advice.

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Since CD supplied Herzfeld with money to retrieve his goods from the carrier, but he did not use it for that purpose, WS sees no way of helping him except to send him home as "a distressed Austrian subject".

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Hopes CD got telegram about Convolvulus. Is measuring plants every four hours. Will go to Brittany by boat from Southampton on Monday night.

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Writes of a Mrs Noel, who is annoyed with CD’s neglect of Erasmus Darwin’s brother, W[illiam] A[lvey] D[arwin I], [in Erasmus Darwin].

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CD’s portrait at exhibition is praised by critics. CD and the Prime Minister may boast of having been in their day "the best abused men in England".

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Summarises points of interest in his Report upon cotton insects [U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology (1879)].

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Sets out specific propositions concerning his potato varieties, which he will make to the Government, if he is given CD’s and T. H. Farrer’s support.

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Requests permission to quote Journal of researches passages in a school text-book [Relfe Brothers model reading-books … in prose and verse (1880–3)]. John Murray has previously refused.

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Thanks CD for writing to Murray concerning Journal of researches extracts for his reading-book.

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Suggests plants whose stamens show movement.

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JT attempting to get Government backing for his experiments; wishes to quote from CD’s letter in support of his work.

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Annual report on sale of Reinwald editions of CD’s works.

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Information about the death of John Scott, his nephew.

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Learning by experience of others: birds being killed by telegraph wires when first set up; sheep in Australia eating poisonous plants.

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Asks whether CD will forward enclosed to Lord Derby, and offers to send him a copy of the New York state survey. Will go to Beaulieu in the early autumn. Tells story about gallenes raised by hens being attacked.

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Printed circular from the committee to set up a monument to Lazzaro Spallanzani in Scandiano.

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Unable to acquire pure trypsin. W. F. Kühne is probably the only man who had it. Will send an almost pure sample out of which A. S. Lea makes pancreatic ferment.