Expresses his delight with and admiration for THH’s "Coming of age [of The origin of species]" in Nature [22 (1880): 1–4].

Corrects CD’s statement [Descent 1: 19] that the platysma myoides muscle cannot be brought into voluntary action. He can move every one of his facial muscles.

Thanks for information.

Writes regarding an [unspecified] election at a university. JL wonders whether William Darwin would speak to two Southampton men about it.

Forwards John Lubbock’s letter and hopes WED might influence the men "for the sake of science".

Cannot offer any assistance in urging Government to aid JT’s experiments. Thinks best chance through [William Edward?] Forster. William Carruthers reported to Royal Agricultural Society that JT’s attempt was hopeless.

Hopes CD does not think his faith in natural selection is weak because he omitted mention of it in his lecture.

Is working on dogs. They will make a case for "Darwinismus".

Has planted six, as opposed to eleven acres last year, to keep within expenditure. Must pollen be used immediately? Fourteen landowners are growing potatoes for JT.

Thanks for money for further subscription to Index; FEA soon to step down as editor.

On CD’s solid reputation in America among rising men of science.

Can CD explain why apes still exist, now that humans have evolved.

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.

Thanks for two pamphlets;

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

Thanks CD for the loan of a book;

discusses his family’s health and other domestic affairs.

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.

Cannot precisely explain conditions of existence of any organism.

Discusses ethics of risking one’s life to save another.

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".

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

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].

Discusses GHD’s genealogical researches

and his health.