Plans for his new book, Contributions to the theory of natural selection (1870), which will contain his papers on the subject.
Response to ARW’s MS on geological time ["The measurement of geological time", Nature 1 (1870): 399–401, 452–5].
Groans over [what is said about] man.
Would like to call at 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
Thanks for a woodcut sent by ARW for Descent.
Congratulations on his removal from London,
and praise of his review of Francis Galton ["Hereditary genius", Nature 1 (1870): 501–3]. CD agrees with every word of it.
Appreciation of eulogy in preface of ARW’s book [Theory of natural selection].
CD sends a "curious drawing" [missing] relating to imitation and protection.
Thanks for the drawing.
E. Claparède’s review [of Theory of natural selection, Rev. Cours Sci. 7 (1870): 564–71] is weak.
Looks forward [to Descent] with fear of being "crushed under a mountain of facts!"
Praise for ARW’s reply [Nature 3 (1870): 49–50] to a paper by A. W. Bennett ["Natural selection from a mathematical point of view", Nature 3 (1870): 30–3] holding that mind is a leading cause of variation.
Is reading proof of his "confounded book" [Descent].
On a good criticism of ARW’s views [North Am. Rev. (1870)].
Problems of establishing a permanent residence.
His Presidential Address for Entomological Society will answer A. Murray on geographical distribution of Coleoptera.
Sends ARW advance copy of vol. 1 [of Descent] for his review in Academy. Vol. 2 is delayed by index. "Do not swear at me more than you can help."
Response to [vol. 1 of] CD’s Descent.
Not yet convinced on sexual selection and protection, though their differences are not so great as CD thinks.
On man, he does not think CD has accounted for every step of his development by "ascertained laws".
Responds to ARW’s comments on CD’s argument about protection in Descent.
Comments on St G. Mivart’s criticism [Genesis of species (1871)]. "The pendulum will now swing against us."
Admiration for vol. 2 of Descent, and plans for his review of it for the Academy [2 (1871): 177–82].
News of his new residence.
Asks whether Bugis [Buggess] are Malays. [See 7587.]
Although their language is different, the Bugis are typical Malays both physically and mentally.
Appreciative response to ARW’s "grand review" of Descent in the Academy [2 (1871–2): 177–82]. Comments in detail on ARW’s criticisms.
On the flourishing sales of their respective books. Mentions reviews of Descent in Pall Mall Gazette [21 Mar 1871] and in the Spectator [11 Mar 1871, pp. 288–9; 18 Mar 1871, pp. 319–20].
Recommends [W. M. Williams] The fuel of the sun [1870] as remarkably illuminating about physical astronomy. Williams solves the problem of duration of sun’s heat in "a most satisfactory manner".
Requests advice about Chauncey Wright’s article on Mivart’s Genesis of species [North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 64–103]. CD thinks of publishing it as a pamphlet to counter impact of Mivart’s criticism of natural selection.
CD is allowing his family to decide whether Chauncey Wright’s paper on Mivart is dull.
Health and despondency.
Doubts his ability to answer Mivart successfully [in 6th ed. of Origin].