Reports splendid cases of "paraheliotropism" which he now believes is one of the commonest movements of plants.

A stock certificate has arrived for FD.

Thanks CD for offer of financial support. Discusses application for funds for Ceylon trip.

Praises WG’s Creed of science.

He disagrees that the existence of natural laws implies purpose, but his "inmost conviction" is that "the Universe is not the result of chance". But then has horrid doubt whether convictions of man’s mind, which has been developed from lower animals, are at all trustworthy.

Believes natural selection is doing more for progress of civilisation than WG admits.

Comments on the response to Movement in plants, which seems to have been successful.

Is going over revises of Earthworms.

Is investigating further his notion that leaves align themselves in the rain so as to shoot off drops of water.

Enthusiasm for Henry George’s Progress and poverty. Considers it to rank with Adam Smith’s work. His own work on the land question [Land nationalisation (1882)].

AdeC thinks Monographiae phanerogamarum may be of some use to CD for the most nearly correct names to adopt.

Thanks for suggesting that a spare copy of his book [Treatise on comparative embryology (1880–1)] be sent to Fritz Müller.

Would be honoured if CD would come to dine with him, distinguished foreign guests, and H.R.H. Prince of Wales, on 3 Aug, the opening of the [7th International Medical] Congress.

Comments on her life of Lyell.

Reports de Bary’s opinion of Max Cornu. Accounts of various botanical experiments and observations.

Thanks CD for his kind judgment on his book [The natural conditions of existence (1881)].

E. Ray Lankester has written an unfriendly review of it [Nature 23 (1880–1): 405–9].

Asks what to do with [unspecified] receipt.

Thinks hairs on moles are secondary effect like hairs on ulcerated surfaces. Suggests he not publish until he has independent evidence of reversion.

GHD’s abstract from Nature [24 (1881): 231] has been published in Kosmos.

John Collier has finished his portrait of CD.

Reports on a visit to Hermann Vöchting and discussion of Julius Sachs.

Has not been able to win a position that would allow him to conduct research. Seeks technical job instead. Asks for loan to tide himself over probationary period.

Surprised by CD’s intention to publish [Earthworms] so soon. Remonstrates against doing so. Asks deferment until October to co-ordinate with American publication and ensure best profit.

Points out what he believes to be two errors in CD’s paper on inheritance [Nature 24 (1881): 257; Collected papers 2: 230–1].

Many thanks for CD’s advice and suggestions. His letter is a great source of encouragement.