Asking if the British Association keep a list of lecture engagements, as ARW would like a few engagements for the coming winter.
Asking if the British Association keep a list of lecture engagements, as ARW would like a few engagements for the coming winter.
Enclosed ticket has been sent to ARW by Hampden. the Dialectical Society "are allowing him to expose his ignorance and absurdities." Will Meldola go and see what Hampden has to say? Busy with arrears of correspondence and reading, plus volume on Australasia. Problems with eyesight.
Will not be able to attend the "fungus foray", as have builders at work at home. Sorry that Meldola had a wasted evening with Hampden, thought the Dialectical Society meeting would lead to some "excellent fooling.".
Can Violet stay with him at Meldola's, as she wishes to attend the Converzatione with her father?.
Sending revisions of chapter on mimicry.
Is going to Newcastle next Saturday, and also has a lecture at Sale, near Manchester on Tuesday. Has started on his work on popular Darwinism.
Encloses postage for umbrella Meldola returned. Has had a breakthrough with his hybridity chapter ... "in some cases nat. select. will accumulate variations in infertility between incipient species." Thinks he has made the issue a good deal clearer than Darwin left it.
ARW has been in Penzance, Land's End, Chepstow and Coleford with Annie. Details of holiday. Spent a week with Marianne North at Alderley.
The Meldola's are welcome to stay. Wants set of examination papers for the college entrance exam for Willie's mathematical master. ARW wants Willie to enter college in the mechanical engineering department in a year's time.
Can one of Meldola's pupils or assistants weigh some seeds for him in decimals? Has finished MS of his book.
Thanks for weighing seeds. About butterflies, and trip to Manchester on the 20th.
Thanks for notes and references on "colour" chapters. Discusses his theory of "recognition colours." Going to Hastings for week or two, to restore his wife's health (address c/o Mrs Pearson, 13 High Wycombe, Hastings).
Has been too busy to write. Descriptions of countryside. Is coaching Willie in mathematics -wants past examination papers. Willie is going into Professor S. Thompson's department (at Gresham College?).
About coaching Willie in mathematics for entrance examination - particular questions about geometry.
Plants found on his way back from Dundee last week. Specimen of Carabus enclosed in brown paper [Carabus nitens]. Asks advice about Willie, whose reports are not good. Owing to ill health and delicacy of constitution he is really 2-3 years younger than other lads his age. Could Meldola ask Professor Thompson whether Willie would be permitted to repeat the year, if he fails the exam?.
Thanks for informing him that Willie will be admitted to the intermediate course. "I fear he has not much "go" in him, but I was much the same at his age, and it took me a long time to understand many things." More about Willie's reports and lectures. Is preparing new edition of Natural Selection and Tropical Nature plus changes to Malay Archipelago. Visit to Portland with Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. Mentions a Mr. Holmes.
Reasons why he hasn't seen so much of Meldola lately. Usually stays with his sister in West Brompton.
About Romanes. The only point of importance he makes is that "all simple variations are absolutely useless and that variations can only be useful when many kinds that are coordinated in action arise together." Should point out the extreme improbability of this assumption. Discusses his view of variation. Has been busy with builders. Mentions a Mr. and Mrs. Cohen.
Tells Meldola that he has put his foot in it -due to content of his letter Romanes sees Meldola as a "disciple converted to his arguments!!" Discusses his view of variations, and criticises Romanes. Tells Meldola "I hope you have another slap at him.".
Wishes to stay in London for a second meeting - will arrive at Meldola's house after visiting the NHM with Violet.