Last letter was written to be passed on for Lushington’s edification. "(Standing on the points of my toes and my tail very stiff)." Is tiring of controversy as a waste of time. Begins to understand CD’s sufferings over Origin.
H. M. S. Nassau, surveying Magellan Straits, has found fossils at Gallegos River. They have been sent to THH by R. O. Cunningham [naturalist of H. M. S. Nassau]. Skull of entirely new ungulate mammal.
Has already referred Haeckel’s request to J. S. Bowerbank.
Has lost track of collectors and naturalists "by grace of the dredge" because of other work and ""the great question of "Darwinismus" which is such a worry to us all"".
Family health.
Will do his best on the tooth [sent by CD] but does not put much weight on conclusions based on a single tooth of a horse.
Darwin attacked by three clergymen at BAAS meeting [Exeter, 1869].
Refers to "Devonshire Man"’s attack on him ["Professor Huxley’s last new theory", Pall Mall Gaz. 18 Jan 1870, p. 6]. His intention to answer – a waste, except for political bearing of Celt question ["Professor Huxley on Celts and Teutons", Pall Mall Gaz. 21 Jan 1870, p. 6].
Reports "shindy" at Oxford over persons proposed for doctorate. Pusey assented to CD’s being "doctored" to keep out seven worse devils.
Thanks for new book [Descent].
Shocked at Lyell’s appearance and speech.
Family news.
Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.
Sends proof of article for Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Is grieved to hear that Mivart is author of Quarterly Review article. THH thought better of him than that.
Compares the Origin to Plato’s Republic: "it will remain fresh for two thousand years".
Answers CD on transitional forms. Has no doubt Zeuglodon is transitional form between Carnivora and Cetacea.
Met Mivart in Manchester. Some doubt that he was the author of Quarterly Review article.
Appreciation of the "marriage gift"; their affection for CD.
Personal affairs – the move to Marlborough Place.
Forwards Matthew Arnold’s Literature and dogma [1873].
Hopes they can secure Hooker for President of Royal Society.
Is overwhelmed by generosity of his friends. Admits he felt morally beaten and without energy for first time in his life. Someday wants the names of the friends.
Concern for Lady Lyell;
will clear away work and set off for holiday in June.
Sends Critiques and addresses.
A life of J. D. Forbes [by J. C. Shairp, P. J. Tait, and A. A. Reilly (1873)] suggests that THH and Tyndall conspired to keep JDF from getting the Copley Medal. THH feels obliged to correct this.
W. H. Flower is ill and obliged to go off for six months. Wants to return the money Flower contributed to fund for his holiday, asks the amount.
Arrangements for meeting in London.
Glad CD has heard about Dohrn’s affairs.
THH sends to AD a draft, prepared by himself and CD, of a statement for a subscription fund to assist AD’s Naples Zoological Station.
A letter from Anton Dohrn declines the proposed fund [that THH and others suggested be raised in England for marine biological station at Naples].
Hooker’s inaugural as President of Royal Society a success.
R. Owen distinguished himself in his way.