Summary

Lord Derby was pleased by CD’s warm and genuine expression of approval [of his support of Vivisection Bill? see 9933].

Summary

Much perplexed by W. Crookes’s article. He can neither disbelieve nor believe. Article has removed some of his difficulty in that the supposed power is not an anomaly. Hopes men such as G. G. Stokes will be induced to witness Crookes’s experiments.

Summary

Sends a bottle containing fish which Lord Arthur Russell had promised to send.

Summary

Has read Earthworms with great interest. Remembers CD once said, laughing, that he was finding that "worms could revolutionise the world". CD has succeeded in proving greatness of their power.

Summary

W. Crookes’s article ["Enquiry into phenomena called spiritual", Q. J. Sci. n.s. 4 (1874): 77–97] "staggers" her. Would like to know CD’s opinion.

Summary

Thanks CD for telling her "such exact truth". She saw Thomas Carlyle at Keston – the country air has done him good – "he is half sorry to have been so unsociable on his first arrival".

Summary

Sackville Cecil would like to be present with Francis Galton at one of William Crookes’s séances. Can CD arrange it?

Summary

Count Schouvaloff asserts that CD’s works are prohibited in Russia. Is he not mistaken?

Summary

Sends fragment of bone from the head of a fish called "Corbin", brought from River Plate by her brother.

Summary

ED asks MCS (Lady Derby) if Lord Derby would consider signing petitions from Mr Olmsted.

Summary

Sends CD petition from Olmstead and asks him to forward it around to get good signatures.

Summary

Has signed the memorial by men of science with real pleasure. Fears it may be too severe. He told Lady Derby about JDH’s troubles. She said she would tell Lord Derby what he had said.

Summary

"We have not a day to lose if our [Vivisection] Bill or our petition is to do any good". Reports on the activities of the opposition and the attitude of politicians on the subject. Believes a meeting with a minister should be arranged and thinks Lord Derby would be a good man. "All will depend on some half-dozen or 9 or 12 men agreeing on the bill."

Summary

Hexadactyly. Regrowth of removed supernumerary digits.

Summary

Sending EHS (Lord Derby) information about the Niagara affair.

Summary

Note on habits of earthworms.

Summary

Will do what he can for Lord Sackville Cecil, but he, himself, cannot get to séances when he likes. Introduction of a stranger always disturbs séances. Person most likely to help would be Lord Lindsey.

Summary

Sends CD his book of experimental work on fluids [Experimental researches into the properties and motions of fluids (1881)].

Draws his attention to a particular passage on liquid behaviour which, he speculates, may relate to the form of some lower plants.

Summary

Express their concern that the offer for sale to the British Museum, by G. A. Mantell and Thomas Hawkins, of two valuable collections, has been declined.