Will wait for CD’s preliminary essay before proceeding with German edition [of Erasmus Darwin]. Regards CD’s essay as the principal attraction. Would like to finish German edition by end of July.
Answers EK’s queries about Erasmus Darwin’s friends and relations. Will rectify Anna Seward’s false account of Dr Darwin’s conduct. Advises EK to leave to him the account of the Darwin family. Declines EK’s offer to allow CD to alter his MS. Fears repetition in the two essays. They can judge how best to present the material when they have seen each other’s manuscripts.
Assures EK he will lose no time in writing his essay [on Erasmus Darwin].
A book by Samuel Butler on Erasmus Darwin and Lamarck has been announced [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. Will have a copy sent to EK.
Assures EK that he will not change his mind about publishing a translation of EK’s article on Erasmus Darwin. It is unfortunate that Samuel Butler should have published [Evolution, old and new] just then, but that does not change CD’s determination.
Butler is clever, but knows no science. His views that cells have memory and the power of wishing – even if correct – cannot explain how they could change themselves chemically or structurally.
EK can do anything he likes with CD’s preface [to Erasmus Darwin].
Thanks for answers to questions [in 12032].
Has ordered the new book by Butler [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. It may make EK’s own essay superfluous.
Samuel Butler seems not even to have read works of Erasmus Darwin. Quotes only passages quoted by other authors. Thorough account now more necessary than ever.
CD’s preliminary notice should be incorporated in German edition completely unchanged, though some annotation is needed to explain matters unfamiliar to German readers.
Would like to have article by CD for Kosmos.
CD’s preface [for Erasmus Darwin] is delayed by his sitting for a portrait.
Explains to EK why he feels unable to contribute articles to Kosmos.
Has read Dallas’ translation of first part of EK’s essay [on Erasmus Darwin]. Has sent his MS to printer. Is perplexed by duplication. Thinks EK’s essay is better than his. Wishes he had sent all his material to him for a single biography. Best plan may be for EK to incorporate whatever he thinks useful in CD’s material.
Hopes to send last part of his work soon. CD may lay it aside or print only parts of it. Wants to add account of evolutionists before Erasmus Darwin. Superficial account by Samuel Butler makes this necessary.
CD is glad to hear that EK plans a short historical discussion on evolution [in Erasmus Darwin],
but hopes he will not spend much powder and shot on Butler – his ephemeral work is not worth it. Sends a review [of Evolution, old and new].
Has completed his MS and sent it to Dallas.
Has ignored Butler’s criticism of natural selection and corrected only his views of Buffon and Goethe.
It would be best to drop EK’s text from book and quote only certain portions of it.
CD will attend to ELK’s suggestions, but there is plenty of time, because Dallas translates slowly and Murray will not publish the book before November.
Sends proofs of his preface [to EK’s Erasmus Darwin], with which he is disappointed. Suggests additions and improvements he would like to make.
Has received printed sheets from CD. Hopes CD does not intend to delete anything. EK comments on value of his own sketch for Erasmus Darwin.
Hopes CD can excuse article he wrote in response to a review of Grant Allen’s book [The colour-sense (1879)].
Relieved to hear that EK approves of his notice [preface for Erasmus Darwin]. Is reflecting on idea that it might appear after EK’s article as "an additional or supplementary notice".
Grieved to hear that Grant Allen has been accused of plagiarism.
Rejects proposal that CD’s sketch appear as a supplement or appendix to his own. Offers alternative suggestions. Proposes title-page for German edition of Erasmus Darwin.
Is inclined to publish his "notice" after EK’s text in Erasmus Darwin. May condense and alter it, so EK should not translate yet. As soon as Dallas finishes translating EK’s text, CD will set to work. Thinks EK’s article more interesting than what he has written.
CD regrets that he feels large parts of Krause’s essay [on Erasmus Darwin] must be omitted. Gives his criticisms and his plan for condensed publication of his own article, with only parts of EK’s. If EK is unwilling to change, CD will publish his article privately. It is manifest that EK can publish his essay in its extended form in Germany if he wishes to do so.
Regards his part only as material from which CD can select for English edition of Erasmus Darwin.
Regrets dropping comment on Erasmus Darwin’s evolutionary theory.
Asks for translation of British plant names.
Asks CD not to mention in introduction that EK’s part has been reduced.
CD is relieved by EK’s response to his criticisms. Will attend to all his instructions and will not print his preface until EK has seen it.