Thanks HdS for pebbles of Roman bricks. When he goes over MS [Earthworms] again, he will compare smoother ones with those having undergone attrition in gizzards of worms.

Has received book [La question du lac] sent by HdS.

Also sends photograph taken by Leonard Darwin of CD.

Requests photograph of HdS to add to his collection.

Sending copy of Origin; "it may possibly lead you to reflect further on the side opposed to your view".

Sends Origin to FJP. "I rest my conviction solely on the fact, as it seems to me, that the theory explains large classes of facts otherwise inexplicable." Has made important converts: Lyell, Hooker, Huxley, and W. B. Carpenter.

Is extremely pleased by what FJP says of his book [Origin]. Recalls how slowly he changed his own opinion; does not think anyone "could at once undergo so great a revolution in opinion". Thanks FJP for his intended notice of the work [Bibl. Univers. Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 7 (1860)].

Recommends an "excellent Review by that admirable Botanist Asa Gray" [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 29 (1860): 153–84].

L. Agassiz is very bitter against CD’s book but H. G. Bronn, although very much opposed, "with noble liberality of sentiment" is going to superintend a German translation.

As FJP’s studies lead him to reflect on "Geological Succession, Geographical Distribution, Classification, Homology & Embryology", CD expects that he will go a little further with him because "these facts … are inexplicable on the theory of creation".

Thanks FJP for his review which CD has received and read. There have been many reviews in England opposed to CD but FJP’s is "the single one which seems … perfectly fair & just & candid". The only difference between them is that CD "attaches much more weight to the explanation of facts, & somewhat less weight to the difficulties" than FJP. "I always jump at any theory which groups & explains facts".

Would be proud to send FJP a copy of his Journal of researches.

Would be great honour to have CV translate Variation, but Schweizerbart has arranged for J. V. Carus to do it.

Has read CV’s Lectures on man [1864] with extreme interest.

Thanks for CV’s Mémoire sur les microcéphales [1867]. Curious how CD and CV have come to similar conclusions about atavism.

Will volumes [of Variation] be published separately? What is name and address of publisher in Paris?

Glad that Reinwald does not intend separate publication of [Variation] volumes. Book had large sale at [Murray’s] auction.

Sends corrections [for French edition of Variation].

Corrects error in spelling of name [in Variation].

Sheets dispatched. Book [French edition of Variation] not so large as expected.

Hopes JJM can visit tomorrow and stay the night.

Would like to ask Carl Vogt if he is still in London.

Thanks JJM for translating long paper [by Carrière, J. Agric. Pratique 48 (1869): 159–67]. Paper interesting especially for showing variation has been different under different conditions.

Would be delighted to have JJM translate new book [Descent].

Can CD legally bring out new edition of Origin in France with new publisher? Has been ill-used by V. Masson and C. Royer. Wants edition without Royer’s preface.

Thanks for proposal about translation [of Descent]. Will write to J. V. Carus to make agreement with publisher.

Hopes JVC’s holding CD’s views only secondary cause of loss of professorship.

Makes suggestions for French translation of Origin.

Sends corrections of JJM’s translation of Origin. Sends preface.

Under present circumstances [Franco-Prussian War] gives up French translation of Descent.

Sends corrections for French edition of Descent.