Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
Account of insects he has collected, with figures drawn by sister.
His bad health has caused him to return to Malvern.
Emma cannot find the gravestone of their child, Anne. Asks WDF whether he can remember its location.
Mainly concerned with entomological specimens CD has recently captured. Three figures of beetles are included.
CD on a reading party at Barmouth, Wales;
difficulty with mathematics.
Reports on his entomological collecting.
Accepts invitation to a Music Meeting at Osmaston, Derbyshire.
Entomological news and queries.
Has taken up angling.
The Copley Medal is considered a great honour, but such things make little difference to CD, except for the several kind letters he received. It shows that natural selection is making some progress.
His health is poor.
Work is crawling on Variation;
occasional botany recreative.
Sends some stuffed birds for "Osmaston Museum" and some insects.
Home having cloyed, plans to go to Woodhouse to visit the Owens and the black-eyed houris [Sarah and Fanny] there.
Bad health during last six months has prevented scientific work.
News of family.
Family news. Describes [final] illness of Susan Darwin [d. 3 Oct 1866]. CD’s health better.
Making rapid progress on Variation.
Has heard of hybrids between moths mentioned by WDF.
Work on [4th] edition of Origin has delayed Variation.
Has met Frederick William Hope, the entomologist; relates F. W. Hope’s praise of CD’s collection and his generous offer of assistance.
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.
CD is collecting entomological specimens;
extols the charms of Fanny Owen.
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".
Entomological news, his poor success in collecting, observation of chrysalis.
Commiserates with WDF in his dismal pre-examination state.
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.
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.
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.
There is so much detail in Variation that WDF will never be able to finish it. Some chapters, like that on reversion, are "curious".
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.