Did his work on the Southern Constellations bring him into contact with a Frederic Houtmann? Regarding a manuscript stated to be by Galileo.

[Form letter] Announces 4 June visitation of Royal Observatory by Board of Visitors.

Charles Lyell has asked WE to pass his opinions on the MS of Origin to CD via Murray. WE is convinced of the value of CD’s researches but "to put forth the theory without the evidence", as in the MS, "would do grievous injustice to his views". The omission of these facts reduces both the philosophical and popular value of the work, by virtue of its dryness.

Supports Charles Lyell’s suggestion that CD should first publish his observations on pigeons with a theoretical outline, for "[e]very body is interested in pigeons". Such a work would generate wider interest and be better understood. A subsequent, larger book would then be approached with impartiality "not to say favour" by a wider public.

CD favours occurrence of reversions, although lack of experiments forces one to vague opinions. Reversions oppose only the inheritance not the occurrence of variation. Discusses relation of reversion, direct influence of conditions, and selection.

Discusses WED’s plans for the summer.

Regarding one of JH's riddles. Sees he must write an article on Frederic Houtmann. Will be glad of the information on Galileo.

JDH’s comments on style of Origin MS leave CD confused.

CD advises on how to get Acacia to set seed.

CD is convinced that the suggestions [for the Origin?] of both Lyell and Whitwell Elwyn are impracticable.

Will send first six chapters of MS next week. Has taken such pains with it that he hopes corrections will not be heavy.

What does he make of the accompanying quotation from Amerigo Vespucci?

Had a card to visit Greenwich Observatory the same day as he received JH's letter so was unable to visit him.

Sends first six chapters [of Origin] for the press. Asks JM to urge printer to keep well ahead of CD so as not to waste time. This is important for his health’s sake.

JDH finds style of CD’s MS obscure.

CD wary of JDH’s starting point on variability: it is not inherent, it does not lead necessarily to divergence, and it must be distinguished from inheritance.

Asa Gray has misread CD’s views on pre-glacial migrations and botched the subject.

Sending a section of their new atlas of the world, which includes some new features. Would like JH's comments. Will send the complete work when published if JH would like to see it.

On some changes to the report on paper by William Pole [see JH's 1859-4-24]. Describes some experiments carried out with colored 'prismatic' light.

Asks permission to include JH on R.S.L. committee, headed by C. J. Selwyn (relative of George Peacock) and Dr. Beale, to purchase portrait of Peacock from artist Douglas Blakiston. Self-recording magnetic instruments have reached Washington safely.

Approves specimen sheet [of Origin]. Sorry book will be so long. Has now written half of last chapter; it is as long as his estimate of the entire chapter. Now thinks it will run to 6000 or 7000 words. Will do his utmost to improve his style. Anxious to publish soon; he knows of two men already writing on the subject, starting from his Linnean Society paper ["On the tendency of species to form varieties", Collected papers 2: 3–19]. Will send a diagram for the book.

Comments on 'cause' and 'will.'

Regarding the faculty pew in the new church. Is sorry he was out when JH called. Hears he is contemplating a change in his property.

The B.A.A.S. meeting is to be held at Aberdeen and would be pleased to accommodate JH should he be attending the meeting. Will not be going himself.

Thanks for his pamphlet; will comment on it later when he has properly read it. Regarding Maine de Biran and his philosophy. Gives some of his own theories.