Has finished the Journal; is readying it for the press.
Adds family news including Caroline’s forthcoming marriage to Josiah Wedgwood III.
Proof-sheets [of Journal of researches] are tumbling in. Mentions future plans for Zoology and geological works. Has £1000 from Government for illustrations.
Writes following his visit to WDF.
Mentions fossils Fox has collected.
News of Albert Way.
Hensleigh Wedgwood has resigned his post because of scruples about taking oaths.
Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
Reports on the effects of inbreeding in dogs and the results of crossing Canada and common geese.
Hopes to publish volume on coral formations in a few months.
He and Emma live quietly, having given up parties.
Asks WDF if he remembers the Darwin family motto. He means to have a "seal solemnly engraved".
Family news.
CD’s health is improving, but he has scarcely put pen to paper in the last half-year, and everything in the publishing line is going backwards.
Birds has gone to the printer.
Continues "to collect all kinds of facts about ""varieties and species"" " for his "some-day work".
Would be grateful for descriptions of offspring of crossbred domestic animals.
Consents to be godfather to WDF’s child.
Sends family news.
Sends news of his house-hunting.
Envies WDF his discovery of Cheirotherium footprints.
Letter of condolence on the death of WDF’s wife [Harriet Fletcher Fox].
Second letter of condolence, following burial of Mrs Fox.
CD likes Down House, describes countryside.
Tells of Edward Charlesworth fracas at Geological Society.
Is at work on Volcanic islands.
Sympathises with WDF’s persisting grief.
Describes Down House and additions being built, which interfere with Geology [of "Beagle"].
Bodily health is improved, but cannot stand mental excitement.
Comments on his visit to N. Wales and the evidence of glaciation, of which he feels certain.
His marine theory [of the parallel roads of Glen Roy] has revived after Louis Agassiz’s "ice work" knocked it on the head.
Family news and their quiet life at Down.
Tells of his father’s ill health.
Discusses mesmerism and Harriet Martineau’s recovery. If animals could be put into a stupor, he would be convinced. Suggests WDF have some mesmeriser attempt it with cats.
News of his family and his own health. He is able to work three hours a day on the geology of South America.
Harriet Martineau is greatly excited by mesmerism.
Tells of Sydney Smith’s dream.
Asks for some [S. American] potatoes to test "sporting".
Murray will publish a second edition of the Journal [of researches].
CD has finished first version of South America.
A strange book, The vestiges [of creation (1844)] has appeared and some have attributed it to CD. He is "flattered and unflattered".
Hybrid geese.
