Rejoices that "Lagrange’s case does not seem very bad".

CD is working hard at dissecting Thalia. Has recovered some handiness with microscope.

Thanks GHD for his drawings [of Thalia]. Some parts need attention.

Writes to say that the point on which he thought GHD’s drawings were mistaken proves to be an error in his own observation.

He and Emma rejoice that GHD’s mathematical troubles are at an end. It is miraculous that he unconsciously followed the right course – like composing a sonata by a fluke.

Rejoices that he should have "staggered" William Thomson so quickly and that the latter should speak of GHD’s "discovery". The internal heat [of the earth] will please geologists and evolutionists.

Forwards pamphlet (Jules Carret 1878) to GHD.

Delighted with [William Thomson’s] report. "There can be no doubt now about the value of your work." CD has "not been so much pleased for a long time".

Circular about the distribution of the overplus of his income and advice on investment.

Frank [Darwin] has found a Trifolium remarkable for "bloom", but it was not in flower. If GHD knows where it grows, could he dig up the whole plant?

Thanks him for his efforts. CD cared most about the letter to Thomas Okes [see Erasmus Darwin, pp. 14–15]. "Cannot think who the calumnious article cd have been about [in?] 1802."

Asks GHD to look in Cambridge University Library for Monthly Magazine articles containing a malicious calumny concerning Dr [Erasmus] D[arwin] [see Erasmus Darwin, pp. 65–70].

Asks GHD to look for a life of Sir Henry Rayburn [Raeburn] "who is spoken of as famous and who painted Charles Darwin [1758–1778] when dead". Asks why he painted the corpse.

A big book arrived for GHD before CD left Down. Hopes it is Thomson and Tait [Treatise on natural philosophy, 2 vols., 2d ed. (1869)]. It shows what they think of GHD.

Thinks it grand if GHD has made a correction about "such an old sinner as the Sun" and hopes his arithmetic on his old subject will turn out right.

CD is particularly obliged for the copy of Maria Edgeworth’s letter.

Sends some queries connected with his writing of the biographical preface to Erasmus Darwin.

Sends a letter [missing] on the chance that GHD might give the writer information about tides.

Rejoices at GHD’s friendship with Sir W. Thomson and grand vein of research he has struck on.

First draft of life of Dr [Erasmus] D[arwin] is nearly finished.

Comments in jocular vein on GHD’s "Darwin discoveries" about their ancestors.

Emma says CD needs a change and rest.

Francis wants a copy of a book on "Shakespeare’s merry tales" to present to a friend in Würzburg.

Inquires concerning a possibility of searching old deeds about the Darwin family history.

CD thinks nothing had better be done about the deeds at present.

Henrietta thinks Erasmus Darwin almost too dull to publish.