Repeats extracts of a letter received from Bishop Stirling’s daughter containing anecdotes and observations of the Fuegian natives.

Returns BJS’s Christmas good wishes.

The progress of Tierra del Fuego is almost as wonderful as that of Japan.

Is sorry to hear about Mellersh.

Lends BJS Titus Coan’s Adventures in Patagonia [1880].

Thanks him for copies of the missionary journal.

Thanks CD for the loan of a book;

discusses his family’s health and other domestic affairs.

Is collecting annual subscriptions for the support of J[emmy] FitzRoy Button. Has only just been told of the death of Miss [Sarah Elizabeth] Wedgwood.

Gives news of some former Beagle crew members.

Wonders whether CD can explain why white muscat grapes growing between two black grapevines have started turning black on ripening but retain the muscat flavour.

BJS’s case is one of the direct action of the pollen of one variety on the mother plant of another variety. Gives references to analogous cases.

Reports the observations of Thomas Bridges on the Fuegian natives. Discusses especially the languages of the area.

Thanks for BJS’s account of the Fuegians. CD would have predicted that "not all the missionaries in the world could have done what has been done".

Gives further details on his grapes.

Tells of his recent movements and state of health.

BJS’s grape case is a mystery.

CD is still able to work a little but does not expect to do much more of any interest to naturalists.

The death of his brother [E. A. Darwin] was a heavy loss.

Has looked at BJS’s grapes. Can give no explanation of the case.

BJS is looking forward to reading the life of Lyell [K. M. Lyell, Life, letters and journals of Sir Charles Lyell, 2 vols. (1881)].

Sends his subscription for the adopted Fuegian [James FitzRoy Button].

Feels very old and wishes he could be idle but finds himself miserable without any daily work.

Is reading Lyell’s biography [K. M. Lyell (1881)].

BJS’s son has seen six Fuegians being exhibited in Berlin; BJS hopes that they might be bought from their master and returned to Tierra del Fuego.