Thanks JM for Quarterly Review. Its "cutting" article [on Descent, 131 (1871): 47–90] is worthy of Mivart’s skill.

Asks JM whether he will publish 750 copies of a pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart’s Genesis of species, North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 63–103] at CD’s expense.

Has been ill so cannot say when he will finish new edition of Origin.

Asks about sales and printing of Descent.

Arrangements for distribution and review of pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s Darwinism: being an examination of Mr St. G. J. Mivart’s "Genesis of species" (1871)], which CD had reprinted at his own expense.

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.

Has finished seven chapters of revision of Origin [6th ed.] despite poor health. Asks JM’s opinion on a glossary of scientific terms. Encloses text for advertisement.

Requests printing of diagram for new [6th] edition of Origin. Thinks 6s may be too dear for a cheap edition.

Dallas has done an excellent glossary.

Requests that JM make stereotype plates of 6th edition of Origin available to D. Appleton. This will be last edition and CD is "extremely anxious" to spread his views.

CD is vexed to hear that some of his friends and some booksellers complain of the type of the new [6th] edition of Origin. CD, whose eyesight is not good, had no trouble reading proofs.

Asks JM to send copies of all his books to Anton Dohrn.

Koch [of Schweizerbart] requires 3000 sets of copies of the heliotype plates [for German edition of Expression].

CD is delighted and astonished at sale of Expression,

and pleased with sale of others, except Descent. He fears a new edition of that work may never be required. Would have liked to bring out a thoroughly revised one.

Thanks JM for £210 on last reprint of Origin [6th ed.]. Pleased by its sale

and by the success of Expression.

CD will have to make heavy corrections in Expression and Descent if there ever is a new edition of either.

Will soon begin another book [Insectivorous plants].

It and a second one [Cross and self-fertilisation] will sell only "very specially".

Has finished corrections for 2d edition of Descent – "as hard work as I have ever had in my life". Estimates it is 40 pages longer than 1st edition.

Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.

Recommends that JM consider publishing a new edition of J. F. McLennan’s Primitive marriage [1865]. CD considers it very valuable and not too indelicate.

Asks JM, as a favour, to use his influence with the Editor of Quarterly Review to print George Darwin’s answer to the charge made by the author of "Primitive man" [St George Mivart] that GD approved "of the encouragement of vice to check population".

Acknowledges CD’s complaint against a paper [by St George Mivart] in the last Quarterly Review [see 9568]. Agrees to print George Darwin’s answer [see 9596].

Thanks for Quarterly Review [Oct 1874, containing G. H. Darwin’s letter and a rejoinder]. Is convinced the author is Mivart. Is therefore not surprised at malice in the article attacking his son [George Darwin] and grossly misrepresenting CD.

Thanks JM for granting his request. Will write to D. Appleton.

CD is sorry about heavy loss from Expression; still thinks the book will sell in the course of years.

Sends a suggested title [for Insectivorous plants?].