Debates the existence of God.

Contradicts passages in Descent and Variation.

Wants to discuss raising a testimonial fund for Huxley and whether Huxley would stand this.

Sends photograph of a diseased roebuck shot by Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia.

CD particularly wishes to see JT "On business not connected with himself" [the fund for Huxley’s holiday]. Asks whether CD may call that afternoon. GHD adds postscript saying CD very fatigued. He hopes JT can come to see CD instead, but he should not mention that GHD suggested it.

Thinks the Huxley fund should be done. Difficulty will be getting him to accept it.

Sends his 6th volume.

Sends to Pantlludw [North Wales] bottle of formic acid. FD and Amy [Darwin] can search for spawn. If found, keep in two basins and add 6 drops of acid to one and look for differences.

William Spottiswoode was not at home, but JT sought out Herbert Spencer. Spencer will come with JT to see CD [about the Huxley fund].

CD will write to William Spottiswoode about the fund for Huxley. CD is raising his subscription to £300. "We have done a good day’s work … [it] gives me a higher opinion of human nature than I had before, though I am not one of those who think lowly of mankind."

Discusses the arrangements being made to present a gift to Huxley [see 8872].

Is convinced that the "brotherly spirit of the transaction" will cause Huxley not to raise objections.

W. G. Armstrong and T. H. Farrer have both contributed [to the Huxley fund].

Sends JT the list and amounts subscribed for Huxley. It will probably amount to £1800. He will write to Huxley and use every argument he can to make him accept.

George Henslow is worse. All plans to go abroad have been given up. James Paget’s diagnoses enclosed.

Thanks CD for his kind letter about The fair haven [1873]. Encouraged by its reception. All he wants is to compel "an attitude of fixed attention in the place of cowardly shrinking from examination". Says he will try "a novel pure and simple with little ""purpose"" next".

It is Huxley’s "duty to do what we wish him to do – his duty to his wife and children, his duty to us and to the world". Shares CD’s wish that Mrs [Henry] L[yell?] had not subscribed – it suggests the idea of an effort.

Sends 15 studies in expression, acted by his wife.

Describes David Ferrier’s experiments on electrical brain stimulation of animals; these show direct relation between convolutions of the brain and groups of muscles [West Riding Asylum Med. Rep. (July 1873)].

"Try only 1 or 2 drops of Formic A[cid]."

Photographs sent by JC-B show great power of acting.

David Ferrier’s researches sound wonderful. Does he believe that he excites an idea and this leads to the movement, or that he acts directly on the motor nerves?