On behalf of her sister Violetta, who is ill, thanks CD for copy of Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks for copy of Erasmus Darwin. The refutation of Miss Seward is admirable and conclusive.

Thanks for book [Erasmus Darwin].

Thanks CD on behalf of herself and sister [E. A. Wheler] for the gift of Erasmus Darwin. Comments to amplify parts of it.

Praises CD’s biography of Erasmus Darwin;

asks CD to answer some queries he is circulating. Is particularly interested in "visualizing faculty" in CD and Dr Darwin.

Thanks for copy of Erasmus Darwin. Has wished that justice be done to Dr Darwin’s originality and his anticipation of some modern scientific theories.

Does CD believe in the "Word of the Lord", i.e., Genesis?

Thanks CD for a copy of Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks for English edition [of Erasmus Darwin]. John Murray has not answered letters of German publisher. Questions CD about persons mentioned in book, in order to annotate German edition.

Thanks for Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks CD for signing a memorial.

Thanks for Erasmus Darwin.

Encloses latest report on his new potatoes. Believes the plants should be grown from seed every fourth year to preserve yield and disease-resistance.

Sends a book on shorthand

and a paper, probably by Erasmus Darwin, entitled "Moral and physical hermeneutics", on the subject of temperance.

Received enclosed report from Torbitt on potato experiments.

Describes problems of raising money [for potato experiments]. "A Government official in another office remarked to me that it was very difficult for Ministers to decide what to do in such cases as they must be prepared for mere cavillers in the H[ouse] of Commons."

Thanks for Erasmus Darwin. It is a rare life and an unmatched illustration of the transmission of intellectual strength.

Supports CD’s theory but doubts that butterfly life-cycle is consistent with it. Metamorphosis of butterflies is not comparable to that of other insects.

Comments on butterfly fertilisation of flowers.

Encloses a report on JT’s potato varieties by William Meredith, one of the many individuals in the country who are growing them.

Intends to get his ideas on the "wearing out" of varieties printed.

This year’s crosses were failures.