Will write to H. G. Bronn accepting his offer. Asks THH to write to R. A. von Kölliker.
French arrangements fall between two stools.
Gardeners’ Chronicle has reprinted THH’s Times review.
W. H. Harvey made weak attack on Origin [Gard. Chron. (1860): 145–6], to which Hooker made admirable rejoinder [Gard. Chron. (1860): 170–1].
Invites THH to join Hooker at Down on 5 April.
Owen on the branchiae of Balanidae.
The Edinburgh Review article on the Origin [by Owen, 111 (1860): 487–532] full of misrepresentations, with a brutal attack on THH.
On THH’s lecture at Royal Institution ["On species and races, and their origin", Not. Proc. R. Inst. G. B. 3 (1858–62): 195–200]. Praises eloquence of his conclusion.
Has sent first part of German translation of Origin to THH.
On THH’s "Deep-sea soundings in the North Atlantic" ["Report on the examination of specimens of bottom" in Deep-sea soundings made in H.M.S. "Cyclops", Lieut. Commander J. Dayman (1858)]. Suggests further investigations be made of deposits of calcareous organisms.
THH’s "extinguished theologians lie about the cradle of every science" ["The origin of species", Westminster Rev. 17 (1860): 541–70].
Asks whether THH had by mistake taken the National Review containing W. B. Carpenter’s review.
Observations on changes in physical proportions of pigeons.
The Saturday Review of 5 May has a defence of CD and THH by "a jolly good fellow".
Has had a report on Oxford BAAS meeting from Hooker. Asks THH to write about it. Has heard he fought nobly with Owen and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce. Regrets trouble he has caused his friends.
THH’s long account of Oxford meeting. Has he no reverence for a bishop?
W. Hopkins’ review in Fraser’s Magazine is nothing new.
On the Fraser’s Magazine review by Hopkins [see 2860] and the Quarterly Review article by Wilberforce ["Darwin’s Origin of species", 108 (1860): 225–64]. The course of opinion since Oxford BAAS meeting. Asa Gray.
Need for Natural History Review, but fears it will be a burden for THH and lessen his original work. His own problem with work: if he had other duties he would be able to do absolutely nothing in science.
Relates anecdote concerning the blind Henry Fawcett and the Bishop of Oxford; Fawcett proclaimed, within the other’s hearing, that the Bishop had not read the Origin.
News of K. E. von Baer’s support is magnificent – far outweighs Owen and Agassiz. Asks THH to tell Baer that a statement from him would be of utmost value.
R. Wagner [in an article on Louis Agassiz’s principles of classification, Göttingsche gelehrte Anzeiger (1860) pt 2: 761–800] "goes half way" between Agassiz and Origin.
Sends Asa Gray’s review [of Origin]. Asks THH’s advice on getting it reprinted in England.
Hooker’s expedition to Syria.
Disgraceful review of Tyndall’s book in Athenæum.
Expresses his grief upon hearing of the death of THH’s young son. Recalls his own bitter loss of a child.
THH’s term "Pithecoid Man" is a theory in itself.
CD is convinced that his doctrine of a mundane period of glaciation is correct.
Henrietta’s serious illness.
On the prospectus of Natural History Review. Suggests it might offer information on whether subjects that correspondents may wish to investigate have been done already.
Henrietta still very seriously ill.
Thanks THH for his lecture ["On the study of zoology", Lay sermons, addresses and reviews (1870), pp. 104–31]. Best exposé and classification of the higher objects of natural history he has ever read. On reading and observation.
Henrietta’s lack of improvement.
R. McDonnell’s work on rays and electric organs of fishes.
Has had a good letter from Robert McDonnell. Thinks he will be converted in time.
Impatient to see first number of Natural History Review.
Murray wants a new edition of Origin immediately.
Is sick of hostile reviews but they have helped in showing where he must expatiate and expand in new edition of Origin.
Has more confidence in the general truth of his view. Disappointed THH does not think it more probable than he did at first.