Wants a Cassia identified

and several plants and seeds for experimental purposes.

Discusses information about Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks for information and stories about Erasmus Darwin.

In reply to a query [in Nature 19 (1879): 433] CD reports that vessels full of water were kept on the deck of a ship to discourage rats from gnawing holes in the ship’s water casks.

Announces his intention to translate and preface [E. Krause’s] sketch of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s life. Asks whether RD has any documents concerning Dr Darwin or letters by him.

CD has written to members of the family for Dr Erasmus Darwin materials and letters. Is apprehensive lest his preface and EK’s essay interfere with one another. Will confine himself to ED’s character and letters;

has begun investigating the influence he had on medical practice.

Thanks for FHGH’s new book; also for the list of seeds, but he does not want any at present.

Requests information about a travel route used by their grandfather, Erasmus Darwin. Thanks FG for his help.

CD is "now trying to find out how far the Zoonomia influenced medical practice in England".

The "great book" [presumably Dr Erasmus Darwin’s commonplace book, see Erasmus Darwin, p. iii] arrived safely.

Can RD supply a photograph of [Breadsall] Priory?

Thanks for the plants for heliotropic experiments.

Parcel of drawings and MS arrived safely.

CD agrees entirely with EK’s proposal. Has collected a good deal of material. Useless to hunt for correspondence between Dr Darwin and Samuel Johnson. They met only once and hated one another. Dr Darwin is said to have taken Henry Brooke, who published a poem entitled "Universal beauty", as a model.

"I have signed the enclosed with pleasure."

Thanks AN for his kind expression about Frank [Darwin].

Memorial in support of EC travelling to Europe to research his bibliography of ornithology.

Thanks for WTT-D’s trouble.

Has been "deeply interested by the great book" [see 11966]. Asks permission to publish extracts.

Did Dr Darwin go to Edinburgh when his son, Charles, died? Asks whether RD has ever heard a story about Dr Darwin that had been told to CD by the Galtons.

Sends details of the progress of his researches for Erasmus Darwin.

His son Leonard will photograph Elston and Cleatham. He has found an early drawing of Elston.

Asks for a letter of introduction for Leonard Darwin to CMCD’s tenant at Elston.

Details of family history. Has discovered Dr Darwin did get to Edinburgh before his son, Charles, died.

The more CD reads of Dr Darwin the higher he rises in his estimation.

Is tired of writing letters, "half the fools throughout Europe write to ask me the stupidest questions".

Thanks Royal Danish Academy for electing him as a Member, and for the kind expressions toward him from so many illustrious naturalists.

Research for Erasmus Darwin. CD has always thought there is one "golden rule" for biographers: "not to insert anything which … would interest only the members of the Family".