Thanks for THH’s essay on species [article for an American encyclopedia].

Will probably never again write on large and general subjects; will keep to easier specific ones such as insectivorous and climbing plants.

Astonished and disgusted at Klein’s evidence. No doubt there will be severe and vicious legislation against physiology. Will give evidence before Commission.

Thanks for Elementary biology [1875]. Wishes he had had a course like it.

Is coming to London. Will call on THH.

Deeply grateful for THH’s tribute to him at conferring of LL.D. at Cambridge.

Thanks for evolution article; would like to know what made Lamarck "change his front" so completely.

CD’s election to Botany Section of French Academy amuses him, because he "doesn’t know the characters of a single natural order!".

About Anthony Rich, who has decided to leave his fortune to CD [and later also to make a bequest to THH]. CD’s account of what he wrote to Rich.

Has read Hume with great pleasure, but found parts very stiff reading.

George Darwin has visited Anthony Rich.

Thanks for Haeckel’s Freedom in science and teaching [1879], with preface by THH.

Enjoyed rap on knuckles THH gives Rudolf Virchow.

Asks THH to advise him about a response to Samuel Butler’s attack accusing CD of dishonesty. Quotes the advice of others but will do what THH advises.

Greatly relieved by THH’s letter [advising against a reply to Samuel Butler].

Is in town and will call on Sunday morning.

Sorry he missed THH’s lecture ["The coming of age of The origin of species", Royal Institution, 9 Apr 1880]. Has read press notices and heard from his children of its great success.

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

Comments on natural selection. Sometimes he can persuade himself that it is of quite subordinate importance, but so many structures have been explained by it that he can also persuade himself that every structure developed through it. Cites H. G. Bronn’s list [of structures not explicable by natural selection].

Has read THH’s review of Sir Wyville Thomson’s [Introduction to the] Voyage of the "Challenger".

Sends a draft of a letter for Nature [Collected papers 2: 223–4]. He particularly asks THH to decide whether he should include a certain paragraph [see ML 1: 389].

Sends draft of memorial for a pension for Wallace with suggested names of signers. Asks THH’s help.

Is glad that Hooker will sign memorial for Wallace’s pension. Had thought it hopeless because Hooker objected to ARW’s spiritualism and his bet on the sphericity of the globe.

Asks to see THH on Thursday or Friday to hear about the Wallace affair.