Has sent off last portion of index [to Variation]. Hopes CD will be pleased with it. Will never undertake such labour again. He fears it has been an unfavourable way to make CD’s acquaintance. Trusts to CD’s goodness not to hate his name for the rest of his life.

Thanks CD for cheque for £5.5.0 supplementing fee from J. Murray’s. Will return it if Murray provides an additional amount. Is glad CD is so well pleased. Sends notes for errata.

Forwards a letter from Secretary of Yorkshire Philosophical Society. Hopes CD will honour them by accepting.

Has heard nothing of Variation.

WSD is delighted to hear that first edition [of Variation] has sold so well.

Has received a cheque from J. Murray for 30 guineas, double what was agreed upon. Sends a postal order for the five guineas CD sent him [see 5788].

WSD expresses his willingness to do further translating for CD. Sends terms of remuneration.

The Athenæum article [review of Variation, 15 Feb 1868, pp. 243–4] is a disgrace.

WSD will keep CD’s queries about Hemiptera in mind. Secondary sexual characters are certainly more marked in exotic than in British species.

Has sent his translations [of parts of Theodor Piderit, System der Mimik und Physiognomik (1867)].

Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin [1864] would sell if well translated. WSD would be glad to undertake it.

Has difficulty translating Piderit’s use of verbissen.

Will hold F. Müller’s book until CD decides about translating it.

Thanks CD for second issue of Variation.

Is glad CD is satisfied with his translation of Piderit.

Will not start on Müller [Für Darwin] until CD has communicated with the author.

Expresses his pleasure at the opportunity of meeting CD.

Will start translating Für Darwin. Suggests it be called "A Lift for Darwin".

He never intended "A Lift for Darwin" as a serious title but as a way of arranging it. Lyell’s suggestion seems best to him: "Facts and Arguments For Darwin".

F. Müller’s corrections warrant stating that the English translation has "additions and corrections by the author".

Is gratified to hear his index [to Variation] is considered a good one.

Ernst Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1868)], though speculative, strikes him as "one of the most remarkable books of our time".

The material [from F. Müller] makes the translation more like a new edition.

German entomologists are becoming Darwinists.

Will finish translation of Für Darwin in a week.

Asks CD to use his influence to get him appointed Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society [London].

Thanks CD for his promise of support and his flattering opinion of his qualifications for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society.

The position at Geological Society is now vacant, and he is working for it in earnest. Asks CD for a testimonial.

Continues his work on Für Darwin.

Thanks CD for kind and flattering testimonial.

WSD has been elected Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society after a sharp struggle. CD’s support was greatly in his favour.

Has finished Für Darwin. It has been a difficult job.