Thanks to WDF’s directions, Anne’s tombstone has been found.
CD improved, but recovery is slow. She describes treatment.
Encloses paper she and CD have written [see 4294, which was wrongly addressed by ED and had not reached WDF].
Thanks WDF for his letter [on steel traps].
Gives a better report of CD’s health since he gave up water-cure.
CD has been so ill they must discourage visit by WDF. Recovering slowly with new treatment.
Urges WDF to send trap he has invented to the exhibition and competition of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Advertisement of Brailsford’s Patent Vermin Trap enclosed.
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.
Has met Frederick William Hope, the entomologist; relates F. W. Hope’s praise of CD’s collection and his generous offer of assistance.
Sorry he cannot remember where S. Filippe [San Felipe?] is.
Doubts that bones of ox, sheep, and horse could have been deposited in guano [on coast of Chile], but they would be worth examination.
[Tipped in copy of Origin (1866) with CHM’s bookplate.]
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.
His routine days at Cambridge.
Entomology stopped for the present.
His reading, gambling, and parties. News of Cambridge friends.