Carl Vogt has written that JVC is no longer a professor at Leipzig. Since this circumstance would provide more time to JVC for translation, Vogt withdraws his offer to translate [Descent]. CD asks JVC to accept the right to translate and to negotiate for best terms with whatever publisher he chooses.

Thanks CD for his kind offer [of translation rights for Descent].

Feels it a duty to make CD’s "way of looking to fields [recte facts] under the guidance of ideas" known to his countrymen, especially since zoologists and physiologists seem to think science is nothing but the accumulation of facts and have almost forgotten to reason about them.

Explains that, contrary to Carl Vogt’s report to CD, he continues as Professor of Comparative Anatomy at Leipzig, but he has failed to get the place of the late Professor of Zoology, as he had hoped.

Glad to hear the news about the professorship was partly erroneous, but still wishes JVC to have the rights to translate [Descent]. Has written to Herr Koch [of Schweizerbart], but not in such a way as to commit JVC to publish with him.

Encloses a few additions [missing] for new [4th] German edition of Origin

and a new application to publish translation of [Descent].

Would like to visit CD at Down.

[Fourth] German edition of Origin will be out in a few weeks.

Regrets he cannot come to Down on day suggested.

Has just sent MS of Descent to printers. Recognises that [because of Franco-Prussian War] the publisher will have given up idea of a German translation.

Though the war is a misfortune for science, CD rejoices at the wonderful success of Germany; has met no one who does not share this feeling.

The outbreak of war and war work have interfered with JVC’s scientific work.

Publisher does not, however, think the war will hurt success of Descent in Germany, and JVC asks for corrected sheets for his use in translating it.

Wishes struggle between Romanic and Teutonic races could be fought out in a form more appropriate to their cultures and civilisation.

Sympathetic to JVC’s views on Franco-Prussian war [see 7332].

Astonished at JVC’s readiness to begin work. Will send sheets as soon as possible. Has asked Murray to charge for stereotypes of 64 woodblocks at cost. JVC must make his own agreement with publisher.

Sends first four sheets [of Descent]. Murray charges £14 for the 64 stereotypes.

Cannot supply copies of woodcuts from Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1864–9]. Hopes JVC’s publisher will be able to arrange to include them.

A bibliographical query arising in translation of Descent. Two misprints noted.

Thanks JVC for his corrections. Will send other errata. Hopes to send remainder of vol. 2 [of Descent] in a fortnight.

Hopes German edition [of Descent] has not yet been printed because he has fallen into a most serious blunder [about sexual selection never acting on the young] on pp. 297–9 of vol. 1.

The pages [of Descent] CD wishes to correct are not yet printed.

JVC’s work on the translation has been interrupted by illness.

Sends CD a list of misprints in vol. 1 of Descent.

On ratios of the sexes in insects, and other facts relating to sexual selection.

Corrections for Descent. Has sold 6500 copies in England.

Has finished rough draft of Expression, but will put it aside for the summer.

Will refresh himself with some curious observations on the response of plants to certain stimuli.

Sends corrections for Descent.

Thanks JVC for corrections for Descent. Index, which is too full, was hurried at the end.

Publisher would like to produce a translation of Expression. JVC offers to translate it.

Sends passage from Albertus Magnus on colour of horses.

Offers explanation of white colour of sea-birds.

Schweizerbart is now reprinting Descent, nearly all the first 3000 copies having been sold;

new editions of Origin

and of Variation are also planned.

Possibility of a new German translation of Journal of researches.