Requests proofs of Expression.

His visit to Down.

Wishes to dedicate his memoir ["Monographie der Gattung Anthracotherium", Paleontographica 22 (1876): 131–347] to CD as founder of evolutionary theory.

Talks of his attempts to describe the course of descent for a part of the animal kingdom, and thanks CD for his help and support.

Russian Expression has sold nearly 2000 copies.

Plans to come to England to study collections of vertebrate fossils from the Chalk. This will complement his work in the south of France.

On obtaining Clerk Maxwell’s memoir on Saturn for his wife, Sofya.

Regret at reading of Huxley’s death [a false report].

Will be pleased to have VOK come to Down any day.

Thanks VOK for the Russian tea.

Rejoices at his prosperity and appointment at Moscow [Associate Professor, Moscow University, 1880–3].

"I have received a very large box full of beautiful tea from Russia yesterday … my life is as regular & monotonous as a clock.

I make sure, but wofully slow progress, with my new book."

Thanks VOK for a photograph and his New Year wishes.

Answers VOK’s questions regarding the size of forthcoming Variation and gives his consent to a translation.

But if Origin has not yet been translated into Russian, CD thinks it would be a better book to undertake.

CD has sent some revised proof-sheets and ordered the stereotypes [for Russian translation of Variation]. First volume is dull, but he hopes second is more interesting.

Sends proof-sheets [of Variation]. Will not charge VOK for right of translation.

CD is sorry proof-sheets were lost; hopes clean sheets will have arrived.

Sends a sheet of proofs. Will hold four others until he hears from VOK, because of expensive postage. Thinks illustrating Russian translation [of Variation] with woodcuts from A. E. Brehm’s work [Illustrirtes Thierleben, 4 vols. (1864–7)] is an excellent idea.

Thanks VOK for the present of A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1864–7].

The woodcuts will do admirably [for Variation].

Sends sheets with alterations to be made [in Russian translation of Variation]. VOK should consider adding to the title-page that CD is a Corresponding Member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences (St Petersburg).

Asks VOK to translate a passage from Franz Körte, Die Streich-, Zug- oder Wander-Heuschrecke [1828], p. 33.

Deplores the "fearful piece of tyranny" that is obstructing publication of Descent in Russia.

Interested in W. Hepworth Dixon’s Free Russia, but does not know "whether he is to be trusted".

VOK’s hard work in palaeontology will prepare him for future original investigations.