Overjoyed at the way the newspapers have taken up JDH’s case. The memorial has done great good this way, whatever the wretched Government does. It is enough to make one a Tory. JDH has done a service to all men of science by showing governments that they cannot be trampled on.

Discusses JD’s crossing experiments with Pelargonium; notes that his conclusions on male prepotence oppose those of Gärtner. Suggests that his observations on differences in fertility of certain varieties of Pelargonium crossed with certain other varieties be communicated to the Linnean Society.

Comments on Brace’s work [The dangerous classes of New York (1872)].

CD cannot improve style [of Expression] without great changes. "I am sick of the subject, and myself, and the world".

Discussion of the charge made for the plates [for Expression].

Thanks for new case.

Not very well.

Replies to C. R. Bree’s letter of 27 July [Nature 6 (1872): 260] contending that CD was wrong about early pedigree of man.

Defends the statement of CD’s view in Wallace’s review [Nature 6 (1872): 237–9] of Bree’s book [Exposition of fallacies … of Darwin (1872)].

Encloses a letter to Nature [see 8448] correcting Dr Bree, who has accused ARW of "blundering". ARW should tear up CD’s letter if he does not like it or plans to reply himself.

CD hopes the Times abstract of minutes of Lords of the Treasury will make JDH’s position more comfortable.

The "wretched Lords" make CD indignant, but "nothing equals Owen’s conduct. – I used to be ashamed of hating him so much, but now I will carefully cherish my hatred & contempt to the last day of my life."

Cannot understand the estimate of the Heliotype Company [for plates for Expression]. Discusses the original agreement as he understood it.

CD’s son Leonard of the Royal Engineers has applied to Sir George Biddell Airy to be an observer on the Venus Expedition. Leonard failed to mention his qualifications, which CD now relates with the request that HA draw them to his father’s attention.

Is now at work on Drosera and asks to borrow D. capensis and other species.

Testimonial letter stating how valuable CD found their advice and information.

States his reasons for authorising JJM to translate the Origin.

Is sending Drosera back

and "the curious Kerguelen book".

"Drosera has almost been the death of me."

Hopes the accursed man [Ayrton] does not give JDH any more trouble.

Discusses JTM’s research on habits of insects. "How incomparably more valuable are such researches than the mere description of a thousand species."

Discusses printing of Expression.

Wants to make a present to her on the move to a new house.

Condolences on death of JDH’s mother.

Discusses presentation copies of Expression.