Health has been poor but eczema is improved.
A "squib" about Owen and Huxley on the brain has appeared in Public Opinion [3 (1863): 497–8].
Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
Recommends that CD visit Dr MacLeod’s [hydropathic] establishment near Ilkley.
Account of insects he has collected, with figures drawn by sister.
His bad health has caused him to return to Malvern.
Emma cannot find the gravestone of their child, Anne. Asks WDF whether he can remember its location.
Gives directions to CD’s daughter’s [Anne’s] grave.
Mainly concerned with entomological specimens CD has recently captured. Three figures of beetles are included.
Would like to come to Down to visit.
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.
Fox hopes to see CD in London in November.
Congratulates CD on the Copley Medal.
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.
Thanks CD for his Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].
Tells of the birth of his 16th child. Has five grandchildren.
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.
His second son [C. W. Fox] has a studentship at Christ Church, Oxford.
[Isolated fragments only.]
Bad health during last six months has prevented scientific work.
News of family.
Is looking for CD’s book [Variation]; does not know whether it is yet published.
Family news. Describes [final] illness of Susan Darwin [d. 3 Oct 1866]. CD’s health better.
Making rapid progress on Variation.
Has heard of hybrids between moths mentioned by WDF.
Work on [4th] edition of Origin has delayed Variation.
Has met Frederick William Hope, the entomologist; relates F. W. Hope’s praise of CD’s collection and his generous offer of assistance.