Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.
Surprised at Mivart’s harsh review [Q. Rev. 131 (1871): 47–90], considering courteous tone of his book. Assures CD he has not been converted by Mivart.
On St G. J. Mivart’s Genesis of species and Chauncey Wright’s review of it [North Am. Rev. (July 1871)].
Lists [with prices] four birds that he has forwarded to CD.
On Mivart’s Genesis of species, and THH’s intention to reply to it.
Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
CD is revising Origin and will answer Mivart on incipient organs. "Pendulum is swinging against us, but will swing back again".
Promises to answer questions about ducks next week when he has a specimen.
Recently met Capt. Arthur Mellersh.
Is enjoying Descent. Sends corroborating facts on heredity, concerning race of people from the Seychelles known for their tall stature, courage, and vigour.
Asks WHF to check over some enclosed MS pages [Origin, 6th ed.?]. CD quotes some of WHF’s remarks, but should WHF not wish to be mixed with CD’s theoretic notions, CD will omit the whole paragraph.
Many think CD’s notions are "rubbish, pleasantly flavoured", like the reviewer in the Quarterly Review, who CD cannot doubt is "Mr Mivart, with bigotry arrogance illiberality & many other nice qualities".
Explains that he cannot agree with Mantegazza’s views on sexual selection.
The pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart, see 7940] has been distributed to friends and to the press.
No summary available.
Has been so unwell that he could do absolutely nothing on Origin [6th ed.]. A new chapter seven has cost much labour.
Sorry to hear R. I. Murchison is ill.
No summary available.
Forwards a letter. Has distributed 220 copies of the pamphlet [Darwinism 1871].
Thomas Henry Huxley has sent review of St George Jackson Mivart’s On the genesis of species and his review of Descent in Quarterly Review (Mivart 1871a and [Mivart] 1871c) to the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76] .
Thanks for goose specimens.
Asks whether Egyptian goose throws water out of side of beak. Can it tear herbage like the domestic goose?
[Mistakenly dated 16 Sept by CD.]
No summary available.
Sends CD a sketch of goat with maxillary appendages and notes the dimensions of the structures.
CD most interested by Primitive culture [1871]. Impressed by EBT’s account of development of religious beliefs and of the survival of old customs. Hopes EBT will treat morals.
Thanks CD for autograph and photograph.
The Origin destroys philosophical foundations of religion.
Sees his ideas on conscious and non-conscious intelligence are already in Murphy [J. J. Murphy, Habit and intelligence (1869)].
Encloses an extract from S. W. Baker’s The Albert N’yanza [1866] on the behaviour of the giraffe [See Origin, 6th ed., p. 178], and some references to Baker’s Nile tributaries [1867].