Received and read ACR’s Physical geology. Places him at head of the subaeria denudationists. Unfortunately CD confounded William Whitaker’s article with ACR’s views and gave Whitaker credit for first producing the evidence. Will rectify it now. Has eliminated the rubbish he wrote on the Weald and will add a paragraph on importance of subaerial denudation.

Argues for great age of earth before the Cambrian period. Opposes measuring age from secular cooling. Opposes Sir William Thomson. Lyell’s error on secular cooling.

Thanks for Moseley citation ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

In Edinburgh he feels out of touch with latest developments.

Thanks JVC for his information (from two correspondents) on the rate of growth of merino rams’ horns.

CD has been revising Origin [5th ed.]. Has found a good deal to alter.

Believes that species or genus may have originated more than once from separate ancestors, i.e., polyphyletically.

Discusses relation of CD’s theory to religion. Has written popular account of CD’s theory in Dutch [Darwin en de Godsdienst (1869)].

Repeats request for information on colours of plumage of poultry breeds and asks for WBT’s facts on proportions of sexes.

Pleased by CD’s good opinion and offer to provide material. Discusses work he would do on cirripedes.

Moritz Wagner’s views on migration of species;

his doubts about Fritz Müller’s views on developmental stages of Crustacea.

Consoling to CD that JC gives "a little more age to the world".

Cites article by Henry Moseley ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

Mentions article by A. R. Clarke on shape of the globe.

John Lubbock regrets GHD did not take the Eton post. JL thinks scientific masters will soon occupy places as high and as profitable as classical masters.

Has inquired about magnetic storms. Any effect that could be produced by the sun’s energy in retarding the cooling of the earth would be utterly insignificant.

Tells of his visit to Eton.

Is uncertain about next steps to take for a legal career.

Asks for DF’s observations on the Aymara Indians for use in writing manuscript [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 34–5].

Down School funds.

Sends MS. Asks CD to recommend it to a scientific society.

Librarian to the Board of Trade proposes a celebration of CD’s 60th birthday by the Vienna Free Press.

Returns a book on beavers borrowed from CD.

Honoured to be mentioned with Alexander von Humboldt, who was an inspiration to him.

Asks whether JL would be prepared to sign a petition on behalf of Miss Eliza Meteyard who is seeking a civil list pension.

Down School funds.

Explains the point about gravitation and heat that CD does not understand in J. Croll’s letter [6218?].

Cambridge news.

Thanks for abstract of Moseley’s paper on motion of glaciers [see 6599]. Reading it convinced him that Tyndall’s received view is wrong. Has formed a new view, which he has sent to Philosophical Magazine [4th ser. 37 (1869): 201–6].

Sends abstract of an article by Carrière [J. Agric. Pratique 1 (1869): 159–67] on the improvement of wild radish by selection.