Thanks for money for further subscription to Index; FEA soon to step down as editor.

On CD’s solid reputation in America among rising men of science.

Has learned of death of Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood, former proprietor of Tromer Lodge, and writes about his deceased father’s earlier attempts to purchase this property. Requests information on any future transfer of it.

Thanks for CD’s letter, and further discussion of the sale of Tromer Lodge.

Thanks for information about the property in question [Tromer Lodge, see 12842]. His father, Robert Ainslie, had protested a settlement made in an earlier transaction.

Is recuperating well in France.

Mentions CD’s approval of earlier articles on CD’s works, and requests approval and permission to dedicate to CD a second work on CD’s thought for the International Library of Science and Free-thought.

Inquires whether a printed letter of CD’s [see 11902] correctly represents his views on vegetarianism.

Gives history of the Union; explains plan to encourage original work by offering an annual "Darwin Prize". Asks CD’s permission to use his name.

Thanks for letter, which made up for difficulty of his speech [at BAAS meeting, Swansea].

Has met Horace Darwin and wife;

climbed Matterhorn.

Thanks for copy of Movement in plants; CD’s discovery of a "nervous system without nerves" will have important bearing on origins of animal nervous system.

Has received CD’s acknowledgment, through Ernest De La Rue, for the copy he sent of Jungle life [in India (1880)].

Offers to collect material for CD on his return to India.

Has been at work on Orchideae for Genera plantarum and has found CD’s Orchids wonderfully useful. Comments on some problems of botanical terminology.

Pleased to sign certificate for Francis Darwin.

Has never underrated importance of [plant] physiological studies, especially when carried out as FD has been doing.

Describes formation of student nature study club at the University of Jena. Sends birthday greetings from the club.

Writes on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury to invite CD to a private conference organised in an attempt to reconcile science and religion. [Enclosed is a printed two-page memorial calling for such a conference.]

Regrets CD is unable to attend proposed conference [see 12918]. Would like his opinion on why it is not desirable.

Has spoken to Wallace to see if reluctant to accept a Government pension. He would accept if CD and Huxley believe it justified. Encloses details of Wallace’s efforts to obtain a position as naturalist and his claims for a pension.

Signs a certificate sent to him by CD [see 12954].

Sends CD a ticket to his lecture on 25 February, in which he will propose that the mode by which the excitable parts of plants influence other parts at a distance is essentially the same as in the excitable structure of animals, contrary to the views of Hermann Munk and Julius Sachs.

Interested in chapters 6 and 7 of Movement in plants.

Announces CD’s election as a Corresponding Member.

Asks CD for reference to the edition of Kosmos that contains the original of Ernst Krause’s article on Dr Erasmus Darwin. There are serious differences between the translation by W. S. Dallas and the Feb [1879] article by Krause on which CD, in the preface to Erasmus Darwin, says it was based. SB notes in particular that the concluding sentence of the translation, which is clearly aimed at [SB’s] Evolution, old and new, is not in the original. Since readers will assume the text of Erasmus Darwin was written before his book appeared, SB asks for an explanation.