CD will write to A. A. Gould for aid. Thanks for sympathy and assistance about chloroform.
Returns paper by Asa Gray [? "Review of Darwin’s theory", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 29 (1860): 153–84].
Greatly admires Origin.
Can follow effects of natural selection in Carex, but when CD brings millions of years into play, he is like Church which demands faith. FB cannot believe in divinity of Christ, resurrection, or miracles.
Has sent CD the published part of his work on Carex [Illustrations of the genus Carex (1858–67)]. Hopes to add 200 more figures. Comments on great variability among the 600–odd species, and on their geographical distribution.
Has had news from Asa Gray about Civil War.
Belatedly thanks CD for Orchids, which shows CD to be the successor to Gilbert White.
On his particular spiritual faith; worships great naturalists and authors.
Does not wish to see American newspapers that Asa Gray offers to send, or hear about Civil War.
His son wants CD’s opinion about a cub supposed by Frank Buckland to be progeny of a lioness and mastiff.
Lyell working at last proofs [of Antiquity of man]; he is scornful of Owen.
"My Dear Sir, I have called on you, to solicit your vote & interest at the Athenaeum Club […] in favour of my brother, Erasmus Darwin".
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Pleased that the plants he sent were of use to Smith. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", "Flora Britannica", "Flora Lapponica", stating that he owes his knowledge of botany to him, offers to contribute to Smith's herbarium every year in appreciation. Thanks for condolences on his father's death, quotes Horace in praise of his father. Will give notice of his forthcoming visit. Encloses specimens and requests six specimens from New Holland [not specified].
Sorry to not have seen Smith yesterday. The general election and debate over arrangements for a visit, including accomodation of his indigestion. Keen for [Jacob] Bigelow to become a member of Linnean Society and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society.
Smith's canvassing for Cambridge professorship. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich if the Norfolk election is not contested. [Jacob] Bigelow and his possible elections to Royal Society and Linnean Society. A "large serpent" has appeared in the sea "again", although changed enough in appearence for no notice to be taken of the "lumps upon his back" and with a head 14 feet long, relates remarks from Bigelow who compares it to a serpent that appeared off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Explains how he came to miss Smith the last time he was in London.
Has been reading some of Smith's papers, awed by his industry. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich before going onto Paris with his brother. Has received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, who thinks the "snake" is the same as that which visited the coast last autumn.
Directions for various parcels for Smith to forward. Reviews [Jacob] Bigelow's "Medical Botany". Invites Smith to visit on his way to Liverpool. Fears he may have been "very presumptuous" with Lady Smith in "thinking so highly of Byron". Planning to ask Sir Joseph Banks to introduce Bigelow as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Thanks Smith on subject of epitaph for [Henry] Kirke White [(1785-1806), poet] , unsure whether to speak to [William] Roscoe about it or go with his original intention to "make his monument his name alone". Asks Smith to remind [Edward] Rigby of his promise to Boott should an enlarged edition of "Holkham, its agriculture" be published. Pledges his support to Smith over Cambridge dispute.
Has returned from Paris. Comments on Lady Smith's "practical defense" of Smith's cause in the Cambridge dispute. Is sending part 10 of [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé Bonpland's] "Nova genera". Wants introductions to [Thomas William] Coke for Mr Williams, an American friend, brother of Samuel Williams of Finsbury Square, "the greatest banker from America in Europe", and Mr Paine, a cousin of Williams. Elected FLS.
Sending a few plants from America but has been prevented from collecting more, promises to send more in future years. Enquires after Lady Smith's mother, news of his own mother, "subdued by grief"by the death of his father, equating her to poetry of Byron.
Married [Mary] Hardcastle on 3 July, a piece of wedding cake was sent to Smith. An account of the courtship, beginning with their first acquaintance in 1811, credits her mother with teaching him botany and leading him to appreciate literature, and account of his abortive attempt to return to America and devote himself solely to the study of botany.
Recovering from a severe bout of typhus. Has heard Smith is working on fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", gives habitat for a rare 'Clavaria ardenia' of [James] Sowerby.