Has no idea who wrote the Times review [of Descent]. Writer has no knowledge of science and "seems a windbag full of metaphysics & classics".

Asks JM to lend him his copy of 1st edition (1806) of Charles Bell’s Anatomy of expression.

JM should tell him when he wants new cheap edition of Origin, so he can arrange his plans and time.

CD is perplexed about illustrations for Expression, i.e., whether photographs are better than woodcuts. He thinks photographs, but does not know which process is preferable. Asks JM to inquire.

Will require at least six weeks’ notice before a new edition of Descent has to go to press because of considerable corrections needed.

Thinks cheap edition of Origin is needed, since he could answer objections in it.

Asks JM for final decision about a cheap edition of Origin. Would like to begin soon to revise and answer recent objections.

Is disappointed at high price, 7s 6d, being considered for the cheap edition of the Origin [6th ed.]. Has been told that, in Lancashire, workmen club together to buy the Origin.

Little chance that Expression will be done this autumn.

Thanks JM for Quarterly Review. Its "cutting" article [on Descent, 131 (1871): 47–90] is worthy of Mivart’s skill.

Asks JM whether he will publish 750 copies of a pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart’s Genesis of species, North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 63–103] at CD’s expense.

Has been ill so cannot say when he will finish new edition of Origin.

Asks about sales and printing of Descent.

Arrangements for distribution and review of pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s Darwinism: being an examination of Mr St. G. J. Mivart’s "Genesis of species" (1871)], which CD had reprinted at his own expense.

Has been so unwell that he could do absolutely nothing on Origin [6th ed.]. A new chapter seven has cost much labour.

Sorry to hear R. I. Murchison is ill.

Has finished seven chapters of revision of Origin [6th ed.] despite poor health. Asks JM’s opinion on a glossary of scientific terms. Encloses text for advertisement.

Requests printing of diagram for new [6th] edition of Origin. Thinks 6s may be too dear for a cheap edition.

Dallas has done an excellent glossary.

CD is vexed to hear that some of his friends and some booksellers complain of the type of the new [6th] edition of Origin. CD, whose eyesight is not good, had no trouble reading proofs.

Asks JM to send copies of all his books to Anton Dohrn.

Koch [of Schweizerbart] requires 3000 sets of copies of the heliotype plates [for German edition of Expression].

CD is delighted and astonished at sale of Expression,

and pleased with sale of others, except Descent. He fears a new edition of that work may never be required. Would have liked to bring out a thoroughly revised one.

Thanks JM for £210 on last reprint of Origin [6th ed.]. Pleased by its sale

and by the success of Expression.

CD will have to make heavy corrections in Expression and Descent if there ever is a new edition of either.

Will soon begin another book [Insectivorous plants].

It and a second one [Cross and self-fertilisation] will sell only "very specially".

Has finished corrections for 2d edition of Descent – "as hard work as I have ever had in my life". Estimates it is 40 pages longer than 1st edition.

Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.

Recommends that JM consider publishing a new edition of J. F. McLennan’s Primitive marriage [1865]. CD considers it very valuable and not too indelicate.