Received and read ACR’s Physical geology. Places him at head of the subaeria denudationists. Unfortunately CD confounded William Whitaker’s article with ACR’s views and gave Whitaker credit for first producing the evidence. Will rectify it now. Has eliminated the rubbish he wrote on the Weald and will add a paragraph on importance of subaerial denudation.

Argues for great age of earth before the Cambrian period. Opposes measuring age from secular cooling. Opposes Sir William Thomson. Lyell’s error on secular cooling.

Thanks for Moseley citation ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

In Edinburgh he feels out of touch with latest developments.

Believes that species or genus may have originated more than once from separate ancestors, i.e., polyphyletically.

Discusses relation of CD’s theory to religion. Has written popular account of CD’s theory in Dutch [Darwin en de Godsdienst (1869)].

Has inquired about magnetic storms. Any effect that could be produced by the sun’s energy in retarding the cooling of the earth would be utterly insignificant.

Tells of his visit to Eton.

Is uncertain about next steps to take for a legal career.

Pleased by CD’s good opinion and offer to provide material. Discusses work he would do on cirripedes.

Moritz Wagner’s views on migration of species;

his doubts about Fritz Müller’s views on developmental stages of Crustacea.

Down School funds.

Does not fact that characters important in systematics are often of no use, corroborate CD’s view that such characters, if not detrimental, may persist ad infinitum?

Social news.

Sends MS. Asks CD to recommend it to a scientific society.

Librarian to the Board of Trade proposes a celebration of CD’s 60th birthday by the Vienna Free Press.

Returns a book on beavers borrowed from CD.

Asks whether JL would be prepared to sign a petition on behalf of Miss Eliza Meteyard who is seeking a civil list pension.

Down School funds.

Explains the point about gravitation and heat that CD does not understand in J. Croll’s letter [6218?].

Cambridge news.

Thanks for abstract of Moseley’s paper on motion of glaciers [see 6599]. Reading it convinced him that Tyndall’s received view is wrong. Has formed a new view, which he has sent to Philosophical Magazine [4th ser. 37 (1869): 201–6].

Sends CD his pamphlet [Über Landwirtschaftlichen Genossenschaften (1868)];

expresses his admiration for CD’s work.

Habits of the fallow deer during the breeding season. [See Descent, 2d ed., p. 803.]

One of his students is interested in translating Orchids into French.

Her memorial [for civil list pension] with the signatures of CD, John Lubbock, and Charles Lyell has arrived. It is now going to W. E. Gladstone.

Has been trying to get Drosophyllum lusitanicum for CD.

Intends to breed from two pointers born tailless.

Answers CD’s letter of 15 Feb about voice of female and odour of stag red deer.