Returns documents pertaining to Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Caroline Darwin says mysterious visitor’s name was Brand. It was in time of Colonel Pole. Never visited Mrs Pole or Mrs Darwin [Elizabeth Collier], but sent respectful messages.

CD’s father thought he had not been treated fairly about his share of his mother’s [Mary Howard Darwin’s] fortune. Will not allude to this [in Erasmus Darwin]. Surprising that grandfather did not make more money. Has found memorandum of his having lost £1500 in ironworks.

CD’s little biography [Erasmus Darwin] has turned out very dull.

May FG’s tour turn out pleasant.

Returns completed questionnaire concerning visualising faculty [see LL 3: 177–9]. Thinks age important. Recalls faces of school friends but cannot remember those of people recently met.

Comments on his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Thanks ESG for list of errata in his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Extends sympathy on death of Edward Wheler, E. S. G’s brother-in-law.

His thanks for the curious photograph. Since he has similar ones he will not "rob" AH of it.

Reports safe arrival of rabbits.

Thanks his aunt for a note about a picture bought by CD’s sons.

Sends enclosure for ARW to read.

Is sending the requested photograph.

Mr Murray will send a copy of CD’s Journal of researches to L. S. Bouton [see 8107a].

His rabbits have lost their patches and are grey.

Has FG seen William Crookes [spiritualist]?

Agrees to care for FG’s rabbits and will breed from them.

Plans to go to Southampton for ten days.

George Snow, the carrier, now leaves Nag’s Head on Thursday mornings.

Rabbits’ coats true in character. If the next ones are true, it is superfluous to keep trying.

Does not know why crying children rub eyes with knuckles.

Mentions FG’s article on prayer ["Statistical inquiries into the efficacy of prayer", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 12 (1872): 125–35].

F. M. Balfour wants to experiment on Pangenesis. Asks FG to recommend coloured rabbits that breed true.

Comments on FG’s article ["Hereditary improvement", Fraser’s Mag. 87 (1873): 116–30]. Finds it "the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in improving the human race".

Thanks for rabbits for Balfour.

Mentions reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas [of life (1872)].

Comments about questionnaire CD completed for FG [for Galton’s English men of science (1874)].

Describes his early interest in collecting and his education.

Asks about determining the mean heights of two groups of men.

The plan of the new journal [Mind] seems excellent. CD regrets that he has so much work to do in natural history that it is improbable he can be a contributor.