Believes natural selection will become recognised as an established truth in science, though it will shock the ideas of many men.

CD hopes Woodward was not the Athenæum reviewer. "The manner in which he drags in immortality, & sets the Priests at me … is base".

JDH has made CD feel he can "face a score of savage reviewers".

H. C. Watson has written to him in tremendous praise of the Origin.

Has just finished Origin. CD has demonstrated a true cause for the production of species.

CD has loaded himself with unnecessary difficulty in adopting natura non facit saltum.

Writes of "the Dr’s" [Henry Holland’s] mixed reactions to the book.

Adds a personal opinion, "it is the most interesting book I ever read".

Thanks CD for the Origin; AS has read the book "with more pain than pleasure". CD has deserted "the true method of induction" and many of his wide conclusions are "based upon assumptions which can neither be proved nor disproved". His "grand principle – natural selection" is "but a secondary consequence of supposed, or known, primary facts".

Murray has sold out Origin; wants a new edition immediately.

Asks THH to check whether Geoffroy de St Hilaire is correct [form of name].

Would be grateful for THH’s impressions on the truth of natural selection.

Comments on pp. 201, 211, and 218 [of Origin].

Sends some bees CD requested

and discusses the differences among several animal species on islands of the West Indies.

Sends a correction for Origin reprint.

Delighted by WBC’s letter about Origin. There is now "a great physiologist on our side". "You have done me an essential kindness in checking the odium theologicum in the E[dinburgh] R[eview] … immaterial whether we go quite the same lengths … the principle is everything."

Sends enclosure [unspecified].

Reminds THH to mention [German] translation [of Origin] when he writes to R. A. von Kölliker.

Comments on the Origin. Outlines difficulties he finds in CD’s theory. Believes CD must define natural selection more accurately and mentions instances in which that principle is an insufficient cause to account for the form of certain structures.

JDH half through Origin. High praise for facts and reasoning.

Lyell told JDH his criticisms: small matters JDH did not appreciate.

Reactions of G. Bentham, J. S. Henslow, and C. C. Babington.

CD’s great satisfaction with JDH’s approval of Origin. The book has been extremely successful. Reactions of Asa Gray, Lyell, Bentham, and J. E. Gray.

Not one friend has noticed his pet bit in Origin: embryology.

Is preparing a reprint of Origin. Asks JL’s opinion on the book’s merits; values his judgment.

Local affairs and finances.

Suggests HF investigate hippopotamus tooth.

Has heard HF is very antagonistic to his views on species. Cannot believe a false theory would explain so many classes of facts.

Forwards letter from Asa Gray.

Bentham is very agitated by Origin. CD over-emphasises natural selection. His theory accounts for too much and would be improved by unburdening it of natural selection.

Cannot agree with all of CD’s views [in Origin].

Thinks too much is made of the Galapagos. The peculiarity of their ornithology will break down.

Offers to answer any questions on ornithology.

Delighted JDH coming to Down. They will discuss Origin. JDH’s remarks that theory explains too much are excellent, yet CD cannot see his error.