Sends enclosure [unspecified].
Reminds THH to mention [German] translation [of Origin] when he writes to R. A. von Kölliker.
Sends enclosure [unspecified].
Reminds THH to mention [German] translation [of Origin] when he writes to R. A. von Kölliker.
No summary available.
Further regarding the portrait of William Herschel, and his advice to the present owner.
Comments on the Origin. Outlines difficulties he finds in CD’s theory. Believes CD must define natural selection more accurately and mentions instances in which that principle is an insufficient cause to account for the form of certain structures.
Discuss CL’s suggestions for revisions to the chapter on the geological record [Origin, ch. 9].
Henry Holland’s reaction to the book.
Comments on CL’s work on flint tools of early men.
Describes at length a conversation with Owen concerning Origin. Notes "that at bottom he goes immense way with us", but emphasises Owen’s unfriendly manner. Remarks that Owen accepted a relationship between bears and whales. "By Jove I believe he thinks a sort of Bear was the grandpapa of Whales!"
Has heard Herschel considered his book "the law of higgledy-piggledy".
Sends receipt for bill for £180 due 27 May 1860 [for Origin].
Sends source of description of swimming bear catching insects [Samuel Hearne, A journey from Prince of Wales’s Fort in Hudson’s Bay to the northern ocean … (1795); see Origin, p. 184].
Thanks for the photographic notes and for the remarks on color blindness. The remarks on the composition of colors interested him as he has difficulty in distinguishing shades of brown and green.
No summary available.
JDH half through Origin. High praise for facts and reasoning.
Lyell told JDH his criticisms: small matters JDH did not appreciate.
Reactions of G. Bentham, J. S. Henslow, and C. C. Babington.
Any materials to be sent to JH should be sent to JH's Hawkhurst address.
No summary available.
Thanks FG for comments [on Origin].
Acknowledges error involving rhinoceros.
Thinks female fowls select victorious or most beautiful cock.
Sends anecdotes and drawings of pigeons for Royal Institution lecture. Offers parts on hybridisation and pigeons from his MS (if THH has patience to read them).
Has heard George Busk is converted.
No summary available.
Responds to Owen’s remarks that his book [Origin] is not likely to be true because it attempts to explain so much. CD describes how, for fear this might be so, he resolved to give up the work if he could not convince two or three competent judges. He is sensitive because of unjust things said by a distinguished friend [A. Sedgwick]. Value of his views now depends on men eminent in science.
The Council of the R.A.S. will be pleased to receive any further drawings of S. B. Howlett, but will not undertake to publish them owing to the expense.
CD’s great satisfaction with JDH’s approval of Origin. The book has been extremely successful. Reactions of Asa Gray, Lyell, Bentham, and J. E. Gray.
Not one friend has noticed his pet bit in Origin: embryology.
Acknowledges contribution to Down Coal and Clothing Club.
Is preparing a reprint of Origin. Asks JL’s opinion on the book’s merits; values his judgment.