Sends anecdotes and drawings of pigeons for Royal Institution lecture. Offers parts on hybridisation and pigeons from his MS (if THH has patience to read them).
Has heard George Busk is converted.
CD’s great satisfaction with JDH’s approval of Origin. The book has been extremely successful. Reactions of Asa Gray, Lyell, Bentham, and J. E. Gray.
Not one friend has noticed his pet bit in Origin: embryology.
Is preparing a reprint of Origin. Asks JL’s opinion on the book’s merits; values his judgment.
Will bring materials for Royal Institution lecture [when he comes to London].
Plans to bring out separate detailed volumes [on his theory], starting with domestic variation.
Local affairs and finances.
Suggests HF investigate hippopotamus tooth.
Has heard HF is very antagonistic to his views on species. Cannot believe a false theory would explain so many classes of facts.
Urges appointment of Edward Blyth as naturalist on an expedition to China.
Forwards letter from Asa Gray.
Bentham is very agitated by Origin. CD over-emphasises natural selection. His theory accounts for too much and would be improved by unburdening it of natural selection.
Cannot agree with all of CD’s views [in Origin].
Thinks too much is made of the Galapagos. The peculiarity of their ornithology will break down.
Offers to answer any questions on ornithology.
Delighted JDH coming to Down. They will discuss Origin. JDH’s remarks that theory explains too much are excellent, yet CD cannot see his error.
Would welcome American edition of Origin.
Comments on Hooker’s introductory essay [in Flora Tasmaniae].
Cites C. V. Naudin’s article ["Considérations philosophiques sur l’espèce et la variété", Rev. Hortic. 4th ser. 1 (1852): 102–9].
Mentions letter from William Jardine criticising discussion of the Galapagos in the Origin.
Asa Gray offers to arrange for reprinting Origin in U. S. CD has told him JM would send sheets of 2d ed. by post.
CD thinks he has good scheme for his "larger work" in three volumes, with separate titles and a general title. Will be two years before first volume is ready because of his health.
Received JDH’s introduction to Flora Tasmaniae.
Criticism of C. V. Naudin’s descent theory.
Asks that Lyell be allowed to see letter.
Much pleased that LH approves of Origin.
"Ilkley [Wells] did me extraordinary good."
Wants to know C. J. F. Bunbury’s opinion of Origin.
Thanks JM for present of McClintock’s work [Sir Francis Leopold McClintock, The voyage of the "Fox" in the Arctic seas (1859)], which he and his wife look forward to reading.
Asks to be told when reprint [of Origin] is ready.
Sends Origin to FJP. "I rest my conviction solely on the fact, as it seems to me, that the theory explains large classes of facts otherwise inexplicable." Has made important converts: Lyell, Hooker, Huxley, and W. B. Carpenter.
Thanks for AG’s Japan memoir [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. 6 (1857–9): 377–452]. Does not think AG’s arguments for a warm post-glacial period are sufficient, but will not be sorry to be proved wrong.
Believes natural selection explains many classes of facts which repeated creation does not.
Writes of some responses to the Origin.
Sends MS on pigeons for THH’s lecture at Royal Institution.
CD will not write to L. Descaisne to defend his priority over C. V. Naudin.
Feels success of theory depends on acceptance and application by good and well-known workers, like JDH, Huxley, and Lyell.
