More on Ayrton affair. Conduct of Gladstone and the Ministry despicable. They have owned him to be in right but will not raise a finger until exposure in Parliament is imminent.

Expects the memorial to make Gladstone frantic. Government regrets granting Lord Derby the correspondence and Lubbock has been advised to postpone calling for it in Lower House. This looks fishy. Is exhausted by the affair.

Kew’s Drosera capensis is at CD’s service.

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Sends Mrs Barber’s address.

Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.

State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.

Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.

Has been asked to take shares in the Artizans’ Dwellings Co., in which CD is a shareholder. If it is really a project for public good, he would be glad to be associated.

Owen has answered his letter in Nature [7 (1872): 5–7].

A letter from Tyndall [from America] was read at the X Club.

Writes, as a P.S. to his previous letter, stating his friends have advised him not to answer Owen’s attack.

Is reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas of life [1872]: "One of the most eloquent books I ever read".

Owen’s communications are doing incalculable mischief to science in the eyes of Government officials. "This ignorant, careless, unobservant government."

The Nature editors, J. N. Lockyer and Bennett, blame each other for printing Owen’s letter.

Huxley looks wretched.

Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.

Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.

Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].

Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.

JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.

Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.

Drosophyllum is coming from Dublin. Will ship it to Down when it arrives.

The awful honour of Presidency of Royal Society; his aversion to dignities and honours.

R. Strachey [Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. (1873): 450] has paid him and CD a compliment.

Letter from Gladstone.

The Drosophyllum goes to Orpington by train this evening.

Hopes Drosophyllum was all right.

Opinion of Council of Royal Society [on Presidency] is twelve for JDH, five for Duke of Devonshire, and G. B. Airy for William Spottiswoode.

Delighted with John Traherne Moggridge’s book [Harvesting ants (1873)].

Has suggested he plant seeds in various receptacles. Only two explanations for failure of seeds to germinate [in ants’ nests]: lack of circulating air or formic acid.

Has undertaken a botany primer for Macmillan.

Thinks the Huxley fund should be done. Difficulty will be getting him to accept it.

George Henslow is worse. All plans to go abroad have been given up. James Paget’s diagnoses enclosed.

Charmed by Huxley’s letter of appreciation [8873].

Lady Lyell’s sudden death.

Leaves Wednesday with Huxley for holiday.

Family news.

He too thinks well of Bentham’s address.

Asa Gray elected Foreign F.R.S.

G. J. Allman is being proposed for Royal Medal by JDH and Huxley.

Returned last night. Huxley, left at Baden Baden, remarkably well.

Would like to come to Down with Strachey.

Has observed CD’s points. Except for leaves of Nelumbium, would have supposed both wax and hairs were connected with absorption or respiratory functions. May subserve some function connected with rays of sun. Watering most prejudicial in the hot sun: a splendid subject for experiments.

Adam is a good man.