Summary

Wants to know whether Variation is published and how the other book [CD’s proposed volume on variation in nature] is going.

Summary

Has just sent MS of Variation off to printer. Is in darkness about its merits.

News of family and their health. Riding seems to help him.

Summary

CD is collecting entomological specimens;

extols the charms of Fanny Owen.

Summary

Hopes to publish volume on coral formations in a few months.

He and Emma live quietly, having given up parties.

Asks WDF if he remembers the Darwin family motto. He means to have a "seal solemnly engraved".

Summary

Entomological news, his poor success in collecting, observation of chrysalis.

Commiserates with WDF in his dismal pre-examination state.

Summary

Congratulates WDF on finishing at Cambridge; he regards his place as a very good one, and comments on how others did.

Father much pleased by gift of a swan.

Adds some entomological news.

Summary

Entomological visits with F. W. Hope and J. F. Stephens in London. News of insects taken and birds shot.

Has been advised by his tutor to defer the "Little Go". Sends news of Cambridge friends.

Summary

Family news.

CD’s health is improving, but he has scarcely put pen to paper in the last half-year, and everything in the publishing line is going backwards.

Summary

Pairing habits of birds: polygamy among ducks and canaries.

Information on the proportion of sexes in fowls and other birds.

Summary

Congratulates [G. H. Darwin] on being Second Wrangler.

Thanks CD for Variation.

Summary

There is so much detail in Variation that WDF will never be able to finish it. Some chapters, like that on reversion, are "curious".

Summary

Birds has gone to the printer.

Continues "to collect all kinds of facts about ""varieties and species"" " for his "some-day work".

Would be grateful for descriptions of offspring of crossbred domestic animals.

Summary

Hybrid geese.

Summary

His routine days at Cambridge.

Entomology stopped for the present.

His reading, gambling, and parties. News of Cambridge friends.

Summary

Is working on "Sexual selection"; asks WDF to send observations on birds’ finding new mates during breeding season [see Descent 2: 103–7].

Summary

Eager to hear how WDF and his family get on.

Entomology goes poorly. Harbour has given C. C. Babington first pick of the beetles, and CD has stopped buying from him.

Fire at Linton.

Summary

Consents to be godfather to WDF’s child.

Sends family news.

Summary

Sends news of his house-hunting.

Envies WDF his discovery of Cheirotherium footprints.

Summary

Has been in "a perfect and absolute state of idleness", riding and walking in the morning, gambling at Van John [vingt-et-un] in the evening.

"Little Go" has been unusually strict.

Summary

WDF’s letter gives CD the kind of facts he wants. His story about peacocks is so good that CD will quote it [Descent 2: 46].

Pleased WDF approves of his book [Variation]

– "beloved Pangenesis disagrees badly with many".