Must shorten his visit to Osmaston in order to see Erasmus Darwin, who has just come home.
Hopes CD is coping with the very hard winter.
Invites WDF to visit.
Describes activities of his children.
Family news and their quiet life at Down.
Erasmus has changed his plans, intends to give up doctoring for the present, and will live in London.
CD will go to the Birmingham Music Meeting.
He hopes WDF has been finding insects; J. F. Turner has.
The Music Meeting was "glorious"; Malibran outshone all others.
Missed Hope in London.
Has heard of CD’s forthcoming book [Descent] from J. D. Hooker.
Leaves next week for winter quarters in Sandown.
Discusses his present book [Descent].
Has heard "sad tales" about CD’s forthcoming book [Descent]; does not think even CD can persuade him his ancestors were apes.
CD’s father has been very ill, but is now slowly improving.
Writes of Leonard Jenyns’ cabinet and J. S. Henslow’s parties.
Spent three weeks in London with Erasmus.
Entomologised with Hope, Stephens, and G. R. Waterhouse.
Cambridge is very quiet, men reading at a wonderful pace. Dined with Sir J. Mackintosh.
Thanks CD for copy of Descent.
Notes the death of Frank Parker [CD’s nephew].
Has ordered a cabinet for his insects; hopes WDF will soon come to Cambridge to see his collection. Has exchanged specimens with Leonard Jenyns.
CD has passed his "Little Go".
Discusses instinct in ducks and turkeys.
Reports a case of the inheritance of an acquired characteristic in a pig.
CD will remain in Cambridge during the whole vacation.
J. F. Stephens has been ill; hence no recent publications.
Has seen a good deal of J. S. Henslow.
Very sorry WDF was obliged to go to Cheltenham with his parents instead of coming to Cambridge, for the weather is fine, the beetles numerous. Adds news of friends and facts about his collection of insects.
Thinks of reading divinity with Henslow the summer after next.
Tells of his father’s ill health.
Discusses mesmerism and Harriet Martineau’s recovery. If animals could be put into a stupor, he would be convinced. Suggests WDF have some mesmeriser attempt it with cats.
Glad WDF will visit him in Shrewsbury.
Hope visited CD; he and T. C. Eyton want CD to join them on an entomological trip to N. Wales; can WDF come?
William Yarrell has discovered a new wild swan in England; CD has had bad specimen of it stuffed for WDF.
Adds brief news of friends.
Has been in N. Wales two weeks, having gone with Hope and two Eytons. Not many good insects; disillusioned with Hope, found him egotistical and stupid.
Hopes WDF will stay in Cambridge until after CD arrives.
Some entomological news.