CD recounts events of the April-fool’s day séance at Hensleigh [Wedgwood]’s. Asks GHD to find out whether Sidgwick’s account of it agrees with what he has heard. "What rubbish the whole does seem to be!"

About elections to [an unspecified] club.

Another message about club elections.

Is sending plants from cut-leaved vine.

Invites GJR to visit.

"When in presence of my ladies do not talk about experiments on animals."

Writes regarding local difficulties concerning Down School and the setting up of a reading-room; his strained relationship with G. S. ffinden following some misunderstanding.

Explains that there is no need for the addressee to apologise.

Is glad JM will publish [Climbing plants] as a separate little book. Some people have been much interested in it, though it has been read by very few.

"We have not a day to lose if our [Vivisection] Bill or our petition is to do any good". Reports on the activities of the opposition and the attitude of politicians on the subject. Believes a meeting with a minister should be arranged and thinks Lord Derby would be a good man. "All will depend on some half-dozen or 9 or 12 men agreeing on the bill."

CD and others now think it advisable to go further than a petition on vivisection, and a bill has been drafted.

F. Delpino’s pamphlet on pitchers ["Sulle pianti a bicchieri", Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 3 (1871): 174–6].

Thanks WTT-D for his present of Sachs’s book [Textbook of botany (1875)].

Thanks EFWP for sending him his treatise.

Has written to Lord Derby about the vivisection issue and urged him to speak to the proper members of the Cabinet to prevent "hasty legislation versus science". CD offered to send the sketch of the bill that has been drafted or a small deputation to wait on any member of the Cabinet. Lubbock does not think the petition should be presented as he feels sure that nothing will be done this session.

CD has helped leading physiologists to prepare a draft bill for legislation with regard to vivisection, and he hopes Lord Derby will support the bill and mention it to ministers of the Cabinet. Has heard that other groups are preparing bills for the same purpose, and feels it important that the science of physiology be protected as well as animals.

Encloses a copy of Lord Derby's note of 17 April 1875 (DCP-LETT-9938).

Sir John Lubbock has agreed to meet CD, but no arrangement has been made.

Maybe they should drop the petition, since Lord Derby has agreed to help.

Pleased JVC likes Journal of researches. Responds to his queries and thanks him for conscientiousness as a translator.

Insectivorous plants is so large that Murray will publish Climbing plants as a separate little book. Hopes Insectivorous plants is worth translating.

Encloses letter from Thomas Henry Huxley (DCP-LETT-9942); CD thinks copies of their bill should be sent to Lyon Playfair and Edward Cardwell.

Richard Buckley Litchfield reports the intentions of the Humanitarians.

CD has seen Sir John [Lubbock] who suggests that L. Playfair would be the best man to present the [vivisection] petition, but thinks the proposed bill much more important and useful. JL also suggests that the bill be given a more humanitarian aspect and that it be presented to both Houses of Parliament.

Richard Buckley Litchfield will soon be able to send CD revised copies of the bill.

Will write to Sir John Lubbock to ask if he will present the bill.

On the petition by scientists regarding vivisection and plans for presenting it in Parliament.

Sir John Lubbock’s advice on draft of petition on vivisection. Agrees with Lubbock’s opinion that a bill would be more effective – but the more the subject is stirred up, the better.