Asks THH to advise him about a response to Samuel Butler’s attack accusing CD of dishonesty. Quotes the advice of others but will do what THH advises.
Greatly relieved by THH’s letter [advising against a reply to Samuel Butler].
Is in town and will call on Sunday morning.
Sorry he missed THH’s lecture ["The coming of age of The origin of species", Royal Institution, 9 Apr 1880]. Has read press notices and heard from his children of its great success.
Expresses his delight with and admiration for THH’s "Coming of age [of The origin of species]" in Nature [22 (1880): 1–4].
Comments on natural selection. Sometimes he can persuade himself that it is of quite subordinate importance, but so many structures have been explained by it that he can also persuade himself that every structure developed through it. Cites H. G. Bronn’s list [of structures not explicable by natural selection].
Has read THH’s review of Sir Wyville Thomson’s [Introduction to the] Voyage of the "Challenger".
Sends a draft of a letter for Nature [Collected papers 2: 223–4]. He particularly asks THH to decide whether he should include a certain paragraph [see ML 1: 389].
Sends draft of memorial for a pension for Wallace with suggested names of signers. Asks THH’s help.
Is glad that Hooker will sign memorial for Wallace’s pension. Had thought it hopeless because Hooker objected to ARW’s spiritualism and his bet on the sphericity of the globe.
Asks to see THH on Thursday or Friday to hear about the Wallace affair.
Thinks Wallace memorial should not be presented to Lord Aberdare, nor to Owen, for signature, but will follow THH’s wishes.
Has obtained signatures for the memorial. Wonders whether Gladstone would see a deputation and offers to write to Gladstone instead. Asks THH’s advice.
Has asked Hooker to sign the Wallace memorial and send it on to THH.
Read splendid lecture by THH on evolution in the Times ["On the application of the laws of evolution to the arrangement of the Vertebrata and more particularly of the Mammalia", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1880): 649–62].