Invitation to Down for the 18th. W. B. Richmond, who is painting CD’s portrait, will also be there.

Thinks there is no particular interest in the abnormality in question.

Also CD has looked at several flowers and believes WDC may be mistaken in believing there is a rudimentary anther cell.

Sends proofs of his preface [to EK’s Erasmus Darwin], with which he is disappointed. Suggests additions and improvements he would like to make.

Relieved to hear that EK approves of his notice [preface for Erasmus Darwin]. Is reflecting on idea that it might appear after EK’s article as "an additional or supplementary notice".

Grieved to hear that Grant Allen has been accused of plagiarism.

Is inclined to publish his "notice" after EK’s text in Erasmus Darwin. May condense and alter it, so EK should not translate yet. As soon as Dallas finishes translating EK’s text, CD will set to work. Thinks EK’s article more interesting than what he has written.

Thanks for JF’s book [Darwinism and other essays (1879)].

Thanks JF again for his Essays, which he has now read.

CD is relieved by EK’s response to his criticisms. Will attend to all his instructions and will not print his preface until EK has seen it.

Urges EK to do as he thinks best about German edition of Erasmus Darwin. CD sends original of EK’s essay and translation of parts he has not used.

Agrees to EK’s proposals [for publishing Erasmus Darwin]. Will send sheets to Paris, but is not sure there will be a French translation.

CD complains of unfair treatment by EK’s publisher [of Erasmus Darwin, Karl Alberts], who has written that he now does not want the copies of the photographs CD has ordered for him. Is sure that EK will agree that the costs should be deducted from any profits from the sales.

Only a few copies of the photographs [for German edition of Erasmus Darwin] had been printed, so loss will not be great. CD was rather angry when he wrote [12291] "but it is all over now".

Answers EK’s questions. Sorry to report Erasmus Darwin sold only 600 copies at advance sale.

The reviews of Erasmus Darwin are mainly favourable.

Replies to EK’s queries about German translation of CD’s preface to Erasmus Darwin.

Samuel Butler’s fierce attack on CD and EK in Athenæum. CD’s sentence saying that EK had altered his Kosmos article was accidentally omitted from second proofs. Butler insinuates that EK’s attack on his book was suggested by CD or interpolated by him in EK’s text.

CD is pleased that EK will answer Butler. Thinks Butler is half insane.

CD advises EK on his proposed letter answering Butler.

Considering the favourable reviews, sale of Erasmus Darwin has been poor.

Thanks EK for kind letter.

CD’s date on epitaph is a dreadful mistake. CD often overlooks errata.

Regrets delay of photographs [for German edition of Erasmus Darwin].