Will send portion of copied manuscript [of Variation 2: 8–10] for WB to examine. Asks about inherited abnormalities of the eye.

Thanks WB for his note, states that it will be taken care of on the publication of CD’s book [Variation].

Mentions loss of many months owing to illness.

Thanks WB for favour to CD’s son.

Thanks WB for his paper ["Address in surgery", Br. Med. J. (1866): 186–97, read at British Medical Association annual meeting, 9 Aug 1866].

Plans to write a book on expression. Questions WB on orbicular muscle in screaming infant and function of muscle contractions in looking at a distant object.

Thanks for reply to queries. Spectroscope an instance of unimagined glorious prospects of science.

Clarifies his earlier query on Bell’s observations. Seeks confirmation of Bell’s statement that the conjunctiva of a child whose eyes are opened forcibly during a screaming fit become engorged with blood. CD has noted a relationship between contraction of the orbicular muscle and secretion of tears; can WB explain why they appear related?

Gives Charles Bell’s explanation of the contraction of the orbicularis during screaming and seeks confirmation of his view because the action is "the key-stone of a whole class of expressions". Curious to learn WB’s conclusion in regard to the relation between contraction of the orbicularis and secretion of tears. Notes that voluntary contraction of the orbicularis causes no tears.

"I shall not be in London on Monday, but I have written to my Brother to ask him to aid you"

Sends enclosure copied from letter of F. C. Donders [7207?] dealing with orbicular muscle. Asks about secretion of tears resulting from spasmodic action of orbicular muscle.

Discusses role of orbicular muscle and distended veins in eye in secretion of tears. Asks WB’s opinion.

Asks to borrow "Sölberg Wells, Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye 1869" referred to by F. C. Donders.

Returns borrowed book. Is surprised that any of us have eyes "seeing what a frightful number of horrid diseases the eye is liable to".

Exceptional cases of frowning by children born blind have been reported to CD by R. H. Blair [see 8615]; CD asks WB for information and observations on the use of the muscles around the eye by those blind from birth.

"As the disease hypermetropia is not very rare, & as it is known to be hereditary, I will not give the case (about which I was very doubtful) & am glad to decide in the negative".

Urges WB to give his vote "and exert any influence which you properly can" in favour of CD’s nephew, Henry Parker, a fellow of Oriel, at the next balloting at the Athenaeum.

Regrets he cannot hear lecture by F. C. Donders.

Hopes to see WB before he returns home.

Thinks WB’s proposal a very good one. CD could suggest two or three subjects for essays with respect to the vegetable kingdom, but they would require a long course of experiments "& unfortunately there is hardly any one in this country who seems inclined to devote himself to experiments".