More on Ayrton affair. Conduct of Gladstone and the Ministry despicable. They have owned him to be in right but will not raise a finger until exposure in Parliament is imminent.

Is sorry JDH cannot come to Down.

Hopes the House of Lords "pitch into the accursed fellow" [Ayrton].

Has signed the memorial by men of science with real pleasure. Fears it may be too severe. He told Lady Derby about JDH’s troubles. She said she would tell Lord Derby what he had said.

Expects the memorial to make Gladstone frantic. Government regrets granting Lord Derby the correspondence and Lubbock has been advised to postpone calling for it in Lower House. This looks fishy. Is exhausted by the affair.

Overjoyed at the way the newspapers have taken up JDH’s case. The memorial has done great good this way, whatever the wretched Government does. It is enough to make one a Tory. JDH has done a service to all men of science by showing governments that they cannot be trampled on.

CD hopes the Times abstract of minutes of Lords of the Treasury will make JDH’s position more comfortable.

The "wretched Lords" make CD indignant, but "nothing equals Owen’s conduct. – I used to be ashamed of hating him so much, but now I will carefully cherish my hatred & contempt to the last day of my life."

Encloses letter and cheque [from John Scott].

Again in thick of Ayrton matter. Tyndall and Huxley have shown themselves equal to the occasion in grasp of subject, tenacity of purpose, independence, and good-will.

Is now at work on Drosera and asks to borrow D. capensis and other species.

Acknowledges receipt of cheque.

Kew’s Drosera capensis is at CD’s service.

Is sending Drosera back

and "the curious Kerguelen book".

"Drosera has almost been the death of me."

Hopes the accursed man [Ayrton] does not give JDH any more trouble.

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Is much vexed about Drosera.

Land-level changes and volcanic activity.

Condolences on death of JDH’s mother.

Asks for London address of George King [Superintendent of Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta], so he can ask about worm-castings sent by King from S. India. Has just received a splendid letter from John Scott on worms.

Asks where he can buy Dionaea.

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Asks for address of a Mrs Barber somewhere in South Africa.

JDH’s letter in Nature [6 (1872): 516–17] is excellent, and wonderfully quiet.

Severely criticises Owen’s conduct.

Sends Mrs Barber’s address.

Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.

State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.

Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.

Dionaea plants have arrived. Just ready to observe some points in their structure.

Has Murray sent Expression book?

JDH’s particulars about Owen, Ayrton and Co. ("a nice firm") amused CD much.

Has been asked to take shares in the Artizans’ Dwellings Co., in which CD is a shareholder. If it is really a project for public good, he would be glad to be associated.

Owen has answered his letter in Nature [7 (1872): 5–7].

A letter from Tyndall [from America] was read at the X Club.