Suggests JT make public his letter to W. E. Gladstone [on results of potato experiments]; thinks post office would object to JT’s plan of distribution.
CD’s sons tell him that Samuel Butler in Unconscious memory states that some passages in Erasmus Darwin were taken from his Evolution, old and new. Their unprejudiced view is that the passages do come from Butler. CD hopes EK will give a clear explanation if he writes on the matter in Kosmos.
CD is taking no public notice of Butler’s attack on himself.
Response to Movement in plants. Setting out to confirm CD’s experiments. Believes plant cell motion, like that of animals, depends on protoplasm more than water.
Has obtained signatures for the memorial. Wonders whether Gladstone would see a deputation and offers to write to Gladstone instead. Asks THH’s advice.
Asks GB to sign certificate for Francis Darwin [candidate for Royal Society].
Article in Shrewsbury newspaper makes him worry about CD’s health.
Sends memorial [for A. R. Wallace] for AG to sign. Asks whether AG will forward it to Owen; CD cannot send it as he has not spoken to him for 20 years.
FD’s abstract ["Physiology of plants", Nature 23 (1880): 178–81] is excellent, and as clear as daylight.
Encloses a memorial for Wallace which he hopes the Duke will read. Asks that he inform Gladstone of the memorial.
Pleased to sign certificate for Francis Darwin.
Has never underrated importance of [plant] physiological studies, especially when carried out as FD has been doing.
Has signed and returned memorial [for Wallace]; does not know where to find Owen.
Sees no use in a deputation. Suggests CD send the memorial with a letter.
Family news.
The Duke of Argyll has written to Gladstone in support of a pension for A. R. Wallace.
Informs HWB of arrangements for signing the memorial to W. E. Gladstone [for a civil pension for Wallace]. CD has got Duke of Argyll to write to Gladstone in favour of it.
The report that CD is seriously ill is false, but the kind letters that it produced have done a good turn. [See 12943.]
Asks HWB to sign the memorial, possibly with official title, and then to pass it quickly to Hooker.
Asks PLS to sign the memorial for a pension for Wallace.
Requests JSBS sign certificate for [Francis Darwin’s] candidacy [for Royal Society].
Quotes an extract from a letter from Mr Sanderson of Chislehurst on the disappearance of black or spotted sheep from Australian flocks when the coloured sheep ceased to be of use to man.
Statement of money transactions with James Torbitt and record of year’s success enclosed. Torbitt desires him to return £90. He is doubtful of being able to continue this spring.
