Asks WED’s help in acquiring expression photographs and engravings.

Wishes to send Langstaff a copy of his book [Expression], in gratitude for his valuable notes.

Will mention JH's subject for investigation to Sir William Thomson. Is busy with Committee on Ships of War.

Invites AG to stay at Down. Winwood Reade and, he hopes, Hooker and Robert Swinhoe will be there.

Finished the last proofs of Descent a few days ago. "I shall be well abused."

St George Mivart’s Genesis [of species]: very good, unfortunately theological. Will tell heavily against natural selection but not against evolution, and this is "infinitely more important".

JBI regrets his part in appointments of his successors.

His friendship with CD and its effect on his fellow clerics.

Is obliged for StGJM’s book [On the genesis of species (1871)].

Would not have sent him vol. 1 [of Descent] if he had known that StGJM’s book was already published.

Requests publication of a notice of the recalculation by H. J. R. Petersen of the Gaussian constants of terrestrial magnetism.

Responds to Mivart’s Genesis of species. "I complain of his incessently speaking as if I trusted exclusively to natural selection … Mivart speaks in many places as if I entirely ignored the direct action of external conditions". Answers some of Mivart’s particular criticisms. Suggests FD read the letter to Marlborough Robert Pryor, as Pryor will never be able to read it himself.

Thanks CD for vol. 1 of Descent. Feels nothing but sympathy and esteem for a writer labouring for the promotion of what he conscientiously believes to be the truth.

Has sent a note to Nature stating the details of the grant paid by the B.A.A.S. to H. J. R. Petersen for magnetic observations.

Comments on use of 'air' lens rather than glass in some circumstances.

No summary available.

Suggests Mivart should have read account of Niata Cattle.

Comments on StGJM’s book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has no personal objection to a word of it, but regrets their views differ so much.

Acknowledges StGJM’s kind letter. [See 7451.]

Offers to alter the "dogmatic assertion" referred to on page 102 [of StGJM’s On the genesis of species] but in 5th ed. of Origin and in Variation CD finds only qualified expressions.

Is grateful for his comments on his own paper on vision. Would he refer him to the work by Mr. Chopal on lens.

Is sorry CD found Genesis of species unfairly critical. Assures CD of his just intentions and offers to alter certain words and phrases in a new edition. Emphasises his high regard for CD but fears his views are leading to religious decay.

Thanking him for his paper on heat developed in combination of acids and bases. Commenting on the various makes of calorimeters.

Sends enclosure copied from letter of F. C. Donders [7207?] dealing with orbicular muscle. Asks about secretion of tears resulting from spasmodic action of orbicular muscle.

Seeks information and observations on the contraction of the orbicular muscles as a consequence of skin irritation.