Has difficulty with E. Krause’s orthography and quotations.

Asks CD to lend him Anna Seward’s biography [Memoirs of the life of Dr Darwin (1804)].

Compatibility of evolution and theism.

Will wait for CD’s preliminary essay before proceeding with German edition [of Erasmus Darwin]. Regards CD’s essay as the principal attraction. Would like to finish German edition by end of July.

Has CD seen Samuel Butler’s Evolution, old and new [1879], which contains a biography of Erasmus Darwin and exposition of his philosophy? "Does not this rather take the wind out of our sails?"

Sends a collection of wheat varieties from Turkestan in response to a newspaper notice of CD’s interest.

Answers EK’s queries about Erasmus Darwin’s friends and relations. Will rectify Anna Seward’s false account of Dr Darwin’s conduct. Advises EK to leave to him the account of the Darwin family. Declines EK’s offer to allow CD to alter his MS. Fears repetition in the two essays. They can judge how best to present the material when they have seen each other’s manuscripts.

CD awarded the Baly Medal of the Royal College of Physicians.

Are modifications in human form and intellect due solely to natural selection or do altered external conditions also play a role?

Sends abstracts of more articles [on Dr Erasmus Darwin] from Monthly Magazine.

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

CD astonished at receiving the Baly Medal of the Royal College of Physicians.

Assures EK he will lose no time in writing his essay [on Erasmus Darwin].

A book by Samuel Butler on Erasmus Darwin and Lamarck has been announced [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. Will have a copy sent to EK.

Appreciates award of the Baly Medal and hopes to attend ceremony on 26 June.

Has received CD’s letter [see 12050]. Gives CD the history of the Baly Medal and names previous recipients. It is not necessary for CD to be present for the award, but if he chooses to attend, arrangements could be made for him to arrive just before the presentation. CD will not be required to make an acceptance speech.

Assures EK that he will not change his mind about publishing a translation of EK’s article on Erasmus Darwin. It is unfortunate that Samuel Butler should have published [Evolution, old and new] just then, but that does not change CD’s determination.

Butler is clever, but knows no science. His views that cells have memory and the power of wishing – even if correct – cannot explain how they could change themselves chemically or structurally.

EK can do anything he likes with CD’s preface [to Erasmus Darwin].

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

Thanks for answers to questions [in 12032].

Has ordered the new book by Butler [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. It may make EK’s own essay superfluous.

Sends an ammonite from the Upper Lias, which has Balanus-like bodies on surface. He wants CD’s interpretation. Discusses possible function of aptychi, siphuncular tube, and operculum in ammonites.

Sends newspaper cutting referring to CD.

Wants some Sunday tickets for the Zoological Garden.