Mentions CD’s approval of earlier articles on CD’s works, and requests approval and permission to dedicate to CD a second work on CD’s thought for the International Library of Science and Free-thought.

THF’s copybook has cleared up all points. The castings are invaluable. Encloses further queries [missing].

Is worried about brick particles in worm-castings. Asks THF for castings from a site where possible error would be avoided.

Publication of EA’s remarks on CD’s writings requires no consent on CD’s part. CD would prefer that no part or volume be dedicated to him as it would imply his general approval of the publication, of which he knows nothing. Though he is a strong advocate of free-thought CD feels that direct attacks on Christianity and theism produce hardly any effect. Freedom of thought is best promoted by gradual illumination of men’s minds produced by advance of science. Has therefore avoided writing on religion though "I may have been unduly biassed by the pain which it would give members of my family, if I aided in any way direct attacks on religion".

Édouard Heckel will translate Movement in plants.

Questions BP & Co. on notices requesting the payment of rent charges.

On worms and worm-castings.

Notes and replies to queries on worm-castings and worm activity on a rubble-covered road.

Asks CD to clarify his religious position.

Observations on earthworms in Venezuela.

Has started experiment to see whether particles of stone become rounded in the gizzards of worms.

The Baron de Villa Franca would like CD’s evaluation of an enclosed memoir on the culture and propagation of sugar-cane [see 13600].

CD has arranged with Murray for CR to have woodcuts at cost for proposed French translation [of Movement in plants].

Has sent £10 to Mme Barbier.

Thanks correspondent and H. J. Schaaffhausen for interesting photographs of fine footprints.

Answers correspondent’s questions on his birth date and when he began work on origin of species.

Thanks CD for his gracious and instructive reply to the Baron de Villa Franca; his letter will be forwarded to Brazil.

Regrets the pretentious tone of his 5 Aug letter [12678].

Comments on STP’s article on women ["Evolution and female education", Nature 22 (1880): 485–6].

His intent in quoting Descent on the law of equal hereditary transmission to both sexes in his article "Evolution and female education" was to support female education.

The Philadelphus CD sent is flourishing and appears to attract a particular kind of fly.

Science and the law as professions. Lawyers in politics.