Refers to "Devonshire Man"’s attack on him ["Professor Huxley’s last new theory", Pall Mall Gaz. 18 Jan 1870, p. 6]. His intention to answer – a waste, except for political bearing of Celt question ["Professor Huxley on Celts and Teutons", Pall Mall Gaz. 21 Jan 1870, p. 6].
Reports "shindy" at Oxford over persons proposed for doctorate. Pusey assented to CD’s being "doctored" to keep out seven worse devils.
Thanks for new book [Descent].
Shocked at Lyell’s appearance and speech.
Family news.
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.
Sends proof of article for Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Is grieved to hear that Mivart is author of Quarterly Review article. THH thought better of him than that.
Compares the Origin to Plato’s Republic: "it will remain fresh for two thousand years".
Answers CD on transitional forms. Has no doubt Zeuglodon is transitional form between Carnivora and Cetacea.
Met Mivart in Manchester. Some doubt that he was the author of Quarterly Review article.
Appreciation of the "marriage gift"; their affection for CD.
Personal affairs – the move to Marlborough Place.
Forwards Matthew Arnold’s Literature and dogma [1873].
Hopes they can secure Hooker for President of Royal Society.
Is overwhelmed by generosity of his friends. Admits he felt morally beaten and without energy for first time in his life. Someday wants the names of the friends.
Concern for Lady Lyell;
will clear away work and set off for holiday in June.
Sends Critiques and addresses.
A life of J. D. Forbes [by J. C. Shairp, P. J. Tait, and A. A. Reilly (1873)] suggests that THH and Tyndall conspired to keep JDF from getting the Copley Medal. THH feels obliged to correct this.
W. H. Flower is ill and obliged to go off for six months. Wants to return the money Flower contributed to fund for his holiday, asks the amount.
Arrangements for meeting in London.
Glad CD has heard about Dohrn’s affairs.
THH sends to AD a draft, prepared by himself and CD, of a statement for a subscription fund to assist AD’s Naples Zoological Station.
A letter from Anton Dohrn declines the proposed fund [that THH and others suggested be raised in England for marine biological station at Naples].
Hooker’s inaugural as President of Royal Society a success.
R. Owen distinguished himself in his way.
Reports to CD on a spiritualist séance attended by himself (incognito) and G. H. Darwin.
Has heard from Dohrn about his financial problems. Asks CD’s advice on what to do.
THH’s article in Contemporary Review ["Universities: actual and ideal" (1874), Collected essays, vol. 3 (1894)].
His note on brain [in man and apes for 2d ed. of Descent] nearly finished.
Has heard nothing about Dohrn.
THH has been invited to lecture in America.
Sends his screed about the brain [for Descent], which he thinks pounds the enemy into a jelly.
Is in good health.