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Robert M. Stecher Collection of Darwiniana
Show moreEmma writes to Innes of church matters. There was a controversy between Reverend Ffinden and the congregation concerning how the church service should be conducted. Transcription: "Tuesday Ap. 29. Dear Mr Innes Church matters were going so badly last week that I would not write until I could see what another Sunday would produce- Mr [Ffinden] performed the service in the same way on the second Sunday + we were all very angry, especially Mr Allen the Churchwarden, who had escorted himself almost as much as Mr [Ffinden] himself about the repairs, + had been so constantly with him that he felt that Mr Ff. had concealed his intentions purposely. So he "had it out" with Mr Ff. + spoke his mind even more freely than you did I believe, + the result is that last Sun- -day he reverted to the old ways, with the exception of reading the Litany with his back to us, (+ that I think we may as well not object to) + of singing the Psalms instead of reading them. It is a great pity that he did not take your advice, as now it will be thought to be Mr Allen's doing. In your plan Mr Ff. wd have done it with dignity; however I trust we shall be at peace now. Pray give my love to Mrs Innes-we look back on our pleasant little sight of her + you- The poor people were much gratified too at having seen you both-Believe me very sincerely yours Emma Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter brings news from the village of Downe and mentions Darwin's experiments, probably on the movement of plants. Emma writes about some of the small talk in the village and local residents, including the Teesdales and the Nashes and Mr. Thompson, as well as her sons, Leonard and George, and of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Down Beckenham Dec 24- Dear Mr Innes I have undertaken to answer your kind letter + to give you all the news I can. My husband is much pleased that you were interested in his book. The experiments are so minutely described that he thinks some skipping is very necessary for most of his books. The [Leesdales] have been settled for 2 or 3 months + have furnished Down Hall most comfortably + sumptuously. They seem to be very agreeable people with pretty + cultivated daughters. (In order to show how severe our weather has been I may mention that Mr [Leesdale] went to Orpington for 10 days on a sledge). The great event last week was the opening of a Reading Room, when Mr Nash gave a good supper to whoever chose to come + I was not surprised to hear that he had 90 guests. They have hired George Wood's old house for the purpose + begin the world with 45 members. Of course they will not nearly pay their way; which one would have preferred. We have also a band of Hope under Mrs Nash's superintendence which is of course pros- perous at present, while the children are young + have no temptation; but I have some hopes that the effect may remain with some, especially of the girls, after they are grown up. Both these undertakings are thorns in Mr [Ffinden]'s side + he has not been content with holding aloof from them; but has used all his influence to prevent their succeeding. Mr Darwin is [filter] well + hard at work with his secretary (Frank) Leonard is stationed at Malta with the engineers, + George who has been an invalid for some years in going to join him there in a week's time. Will you give my kind love to Mrs Innes + tell her I hope we shall see you + her when you come south as I am glad to hear you are intending, + with my kind remembrances to your son + with every good wish to your trio, very truly yours Emma Darwin P.S. As a proof that nobody need despair I will tell you that Mr Horsman has a [curacy??] in Kent, + is rash enough to talk of his "friends the Lubbocks". I have omitted poor Mr Thompson, whose fate is very melancholy. He is said to be slowly affected by the creeping palsy, which is quite a hopeless malady. C. desires me to say that both your facts are quite new to him + surprise him much." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter talks about progress made in the restoration of the church at Down. Small talk about some of the families in Down. Emma writes that they are in mourning for Mrs. Henry Wedgwood. Transcription: "Down Beckenham Thursday Dear Mr Innes I should have answered your letter at once, but I have been laid up for a few days. The church seems to be making fair progress. The water pipes are finished + all the wood work (open news or benches) ready to be put up as soon as the plaistering is finished. The [] is to have sidelong beaches + the altar to be railed off all across. Mr Ff. has employed a regular architect + builder under him, but no committee. The parish has been all at peace since an alarming strike took place among the school girls about sweeping the school. We did not give way + some of little geese lost their school feast in consequence. But I believe it was entirely the mother's folly. More little Whiteheads are continuously appearing in the world, + as if she had not enough by producing them one at a time, Mrs Stephen W has just had twins, her 9th + 10th_ Every body likes Mrs Ff. + she is very kind + active about the school. She is very shy and reserved however, + I doubt whether I shall ever penetrate far beneath the surface, which is all very nice + tasteful. I expect that you will be entertained by the "Expression"- Mr Darwin was very doubtful whether the public wd care about it, but it has been favourably noticed + sold well- We are in mourning for Mrs Henry Wedgwood a sad break up for my brother, who is old. Charles is tolerably well + deserves to be most kindly remembered to you. I think [Parslow] is one of the great institutions of Down. We have been afraid that he wd be obliged to give up service owing to a persistent lameness, but after some months rest he is quite well again. Mr Smith of Down Court is building a good house nearly on the site of Down Hall. It is a pity he did not push it further into the field. Mr J. Smith has been ill for a long time + always looks fearfully ill. We have some of the "boys" constantly coming from London. George's health has failed very much for a year + he finds it difficult to continue his law-reading The excellent Dowager, Lady Lubbock is, I am afraid, very unwell in London. When I saw her this summer she was as warm hearted + sympathetic as in old days I hope the rain is at last over + that you will enjoy rambling + shooting with your son who must find the change delightful after London. + with my kind love to Mrs Innes believe me yours very truly E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreEmma sends a thank you note for some roots (B. Columbine) that Innes sent. Emma adds that she and Charles would be happy to see Innes' son whenever he wishes to come for a visit. Transcription: "Oct 28 - 1874 Dear Mr Innes I was just writing to thank you for a small box which came by post full of roots (I presume B. Columbine) when I received your letter saying that your friend was also going to be so kind as to send some. You are very kind to take so muc trouble, + shall not be satisfied if I do not succeed in making them flourish. I have been laid up for a few days, or I should have written at once to say how very glad we should be to see your son whenever he can spare the time to come + see us, + I hope he will fix his day before long. We are quite sure to have a bed at his disposal whether for a Sunday or any other day. I would write to him straight if I knew his address. George the other day told us of a very curious state of things with respect to Old Mr Sketchley's living of [Derrford Gravesend] (2.) The patron sold the [advowson] some yrs ago for 1000[pounds] - forgot that fact, + when mr Sk. was 80 sold it again for 2000-So there is great confusion- but not the least chance of Mr Ff. stepping into it. Pray give my kind love to Mrs B. Innes + believe me very sincerely yours E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter thanking Innes for seeds sent to Emma from Innes. Transcription: "Dear Mr Innes Only one like to thanks you for your very kind + pleasant letter, + for sending me more seeds; but you must not trouble yourself about the roots. I must join with Charles in emphatically refusing to class you with respect to unpopularity with some of your successors. Even those who had a pleasure in opposing you had always the undercurrent of feeling that you were a thorough gentleman + might always be trusted to do a kindness, + I am sure you inspired strong attach- -ment in the really poor. Everybody liked Mr Powell + regrets him. I really believe that Mrs Ff's extraordinary want of common civility has excited more dislike than many a worse quality would have done. I am grieved to here of the death of Mrs Swan to whom Mrs Innes was so much attached. very sincerely yours Emma Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreEmma talks about her family and the doings of some of the local people. Transcription: "Sep 3 1891 Down, Farnborough, Kent. My dear Mr Brodie Innes I received a pleasant reminder of you in the shape of the paper containing the very curious account of the courageous owl- I suppose her pugnaceous instinct was much increased owing to the nest being so much exposed- I keep well + take my daily drive in the "sand walk in a Bath chair Bessy desires her kind love to Mrs I. yourself I believe you in Scotland have not had so dismal a summer as we have here- Bessy + I have however had a pleasant + cheerful time with relays of sons + grand children- Just now we have Frank + Bernard who is a tall boy with his voice breaking which makes me feel very old. Frank's wife is out of health + she + the little girl are going to [pay] a second winter at St. [Morith?], which suited her so well before. Things are a good deal changed here. The lower house is still empty, to the great loss of the village, as Mrs Schroter was so kind to the sich people- Mrs Frederick Lubbock + Mrs Sutherland are also very kind- Parslow creeps on looking rather shrunk + feeble; but quite equal to taking care of the house while we are away. Henrietta is a good deal better than she has been for some years + we are expecting her + her husband before long- I shall be very grateful for a letter from you or Mrs Innes, to whom I hope you will give my kind love- I hope you can give me a pretty good account of her + of your son + his family. Believe me dear Mr Innes yours very sincerely E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreIn the letter, Emma thanks Innes for the seeds he has sent her. Talks about Charles and her sons, Leonard who is going to New Zealand for a year, and Frank who has become Charles' permanent secretary. Transcription: "Down beckenham June 24 My dear Mr Innes It was very kind of you to send me the seeds + as it happens I had fallen in love with Aquilegia Brodii + never [realised??] it. I hope we shall catch a sight of your son, + I have sent to Mrs Palmer to ask him to come + have luncheon with us. I am sure he will give you a good report of the Church. It is very handsome + the subdued light of the painted window very harmonious + agreeable. Mr Darwin desires his kindest regards to you + Mrs B. Innes. He is very busy over plants just not, + Frank is installed as his permanent Sec. + helper. He is to be married in a month + live at your old house, + he will be most useful to his father as he has very much the same tastes, Leonard starts tomorrow to Plymouth to join the Venus transit ex. to new Zealand. He will only be away a year; but I feel rather too old to like even that absence. We have some heavy showers today, which are a great blessing, in spite of the hay being out. There has been a great want of water. With my kind love to Mrs Innes believe me very sincerely yours Emma Darwin P.S. I shall follow your directions about the seeds." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreEmma requests Thomas Carlyle and Miss Aitken to come for lunch. Transcription: "Sep. 1875 Thursday Dear Mr Carlyle Mr Darwin + I are very glad to hear that you will be for some time in this neighbourhood. I wish we could persuade you + Miss [Aitken] to come + take luncheon with us at one o'clock tomorrow or Saturday. It would be a great pleasure to Mr Darwin to see you. I meant to have called on Miss [Aitken] this week but I am afraid I shall not be able to manage it, but I hope she will excuse this want of ceremony + come + see us first. I do not know whether you would like a long walk; but the way to Sown is somewhat shortened by coming through Holwood Park + we are a mile + a quarter from this end of the park. I suppose the distance would be rather more than 2 1/2 miles or probably 3 miles. With Mr Darwin's very kind regards + hopes that we may have the pleasure of seeing you believe me very truly yours Emma Darwin P.S. If I have mentioned too early a day I hope you will come any day next week except Tuesday when we have an engagement." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [Dr. Anton Stecker]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/99558e7ed9f94694eedad34368bf4c8e.jpg?itok=rTEB5UNL&pid=ksl:ditalldar00079&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to Dr. Anton Stecker to say that Charles Darwin could not secure an appointment for him. Transcription: "March 17. 1878 Dear Sir, My father asks me to inform you that he has so few opportunities of helping you in the way you desire that he fears he cannot promis you his assistance. The appointment such as you mention are as you know very few in num= =ber, they are also much sought after. My fathers health is not good + from living always in the country he sees a limited number of scientific men. He sincerely regrets that he cannot help you in your object, which he fully sympathises in. Yours faithfully. Emma Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [H. W. Bates]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/4539e4efa538ef15ffb363094da3e798.jpg?itok=K5A0yy-R&pid=ksl:ditalldar00086&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to H. W. Bates to ask for help in explaining a paper by Bates on variation. Transcription: "Jy 31/86 Dear Mr Bates In one of my father's letters to Hooker he speaks of being much vexed at having forgotten to quote, in the 4th Edit of the Origin, your "[] on variation"-Can this refer to the enclosed paper of yours? I cannot find that he ever [] quote any paper on var in the later Edits I should like to explain the [] as it is a character is the one + I should be grateful to you if you can help me, but please do not take any special trouble about it yours very truly Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender to [Henry Walter Bates]. Sent from Wychfield, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to apologize for his forgetfulness when Innes last visited. Transcription: "June 16/82 My dear Mr Innes I am very sorry that your visit to Down should have failed through my fault- you interpreted my note quite right and I am extremely sorry that I forgot to write. I have been overwhelmed with letters which have given me a great deal of work; this is no excuse but it is the reason for my stupid piece of forgtfulness. My mother has gone to the Wedgewoods at [] Hill near Dorking for a few days, and I go on there tomorrow I don't feel that I deserve to be forgiven, but I hope you will do so yours sincerely Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 131 Piccadilly, W., England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to say that he will visit Innes, and that Emma Darwin would also like to see him. Francis also expresses pleasure in Mr. Innes' willingness to put down some recollections of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Down Beckenham May 29-'82 My dear Mr Innes Many thanks for your most kind note. I am rejoiced that you will put down a few recollections of my father I go tomorrow to Cambridge for a day or so, but the following week it would be a real pleasure to see you. I believe, (though it would be a painful meeting) that my mother would like to see you extremely-but I will write again about this Yours dear M Innes sincerely Francis Darwin Please forgive me for always making a mistake about your name. I think I am insane on the subject" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to thank him for his offer for the letters from Charles Darwin to Innes. Francis goes on to say that he has been busy with alterations and corrections on the "Life" of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Cambridge Dec 26 87 Dear Mr Brodie-Innes I have been slow in answering your kind letter. I have had a great press of work for a few days getting ready alterations and correction for a [] of the "Life". Many thanks for your kind offer of my father's letters to you. I should value all (or any that you liked to choose) very much, not only for their own sakes but as coming for you. With kind regards and best wishes for Christmas and the New year yours very truly F Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Cambridge, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to say that he has returned some of the letters from Charles Darwin to Mr. Innes. Transcription: "Dear Mr Innes I herewith return some letters from my father to you, with many apologies for not having sent them to you long ago yours very truly Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Wychfield, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes about Charles Darwin's death. Transcription: "April 1882 Dear Mr Innes You will have heard before this of my dear father's death. We all know the strong + affectionate regard you had for him + we feel that you should be written to among the first of those beyond our relatives. We have been uneasy about his heart for some time fast but we did not think there was immediate danger. On Tuesday night at 12 o'clock he was attacked with pain in the chest and fainted away. He soon recovered from this faint + the pain left him after some time but he remained terribly weak + faint and suffered from terribly distressing nausea, + occasional exhausting retching. he became gradually very cold + pulseless but remained conscious up to within a quarter of an hour of his death which took place at 4 in the afternoon of 19th He seemed to know he was dying for the first and was not afraid to die, + indeed in his suffering he wished to die. My mother bears it bravely + is very calm, I think the feeling that he does not survive her is a comfort, for she feels that he could not have born the loss as she can. I think he will be buried here, probably on Tuesday- I know it is not for me to speak of the friendship that existed so long between my father + you, but I may at least say how often I have heard him speak of you in warmhearted + kindly words Yours dear Mr Innes sincerely Francis Darwin I have only just seen your kind letter to my mother" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to thank him for the "recollections of his father, Charles Darwin" that Innes wrote for him. Francis tells Innes of several little things that he will alter in the "recollections". Transcription: "West Hackhurst Dorking June 23 1882 Dear Mr Innes I am quite delighted with your recollections of my father, it is just what I wanted only even better than I hoped for. I have just taken it to my mother who received it with much pleasure, and I am certain will like it as much as I do. I would not alter a word of the essential parts. Perhaps I might leave out what you say about seasickness as I think my father did not agree with the usually received opinion as to their undermining his health. Also in the sentience which you quote my father speaking of you, I might alter it to "Innes" as it was [] I think my father always spoke of you but it is really of no consequence. My mother begs me to ask you to give her best love to Mrs Brodie Innes; and to say with his kindest remembrances to you, that she hopes very much you will give her an opportunity of seeing you both when you next come south, as it would be a great pleasure to her. With my best thanks yours sincerely Francis Darwin The letters shall be carefully returned" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from West Hackhurst, Dorking, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to request any recollections of Charles Darwin. Also asks Innes for any letters that Charles Darwin might have written to Innes. Francis wants to have copies made. Francis goes on to mention that he is collecting material to write a life of his father. Transcription: "Down Beckenham May 25-'82 My dear Mr Innes, It has occurred to me that you might be able to give me some valuable recollection of my father as you knew him here. I need not say how much we should value it if you would (at your leisure) do so. We should in the first [filter] place any sketch you might give us in the family "archives", and it is uncertain whether we should ever have to ask you leave to publish it . I hope therefore that you would not mind writing freely, and would not think anything too small to be told. I take this opportunity of saying that I should think it a great priviledge to be allowed to see any letters of my fathers you may have I am collecting material for a Life, though it is not yet certain who will undertake the work of writing + editing. I should like to make copies of his letters to you; there would be no need to go into the question of what to publish just yet. I should like you to think of them as going with anything you may let us have about my father unto the archives- yrs sincerely Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [Mme. Jout]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/b22f45e3d1739ceac527079c355c5be4.jpg?itok=cyBIw37t&pid=ksl:ditalldar00080&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to [Mme. Jout] with a list of novels recommended by Emma Darwin and includes a photograph of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Strausburg July 16/81 Dear Mme Just. I am glad to be able to send you the most recent photograph of my father; it is I think a very good likeness. I also enclose a list of novels recommended by my mother; she has a good deal of ex= perience in novel reading as she reads alout to my father all the best ones that are published. The three American novels by Howell are extremely pleasant, the name of one which I have corrected so badly ought to be "The Lady of the Aroostook". Please let me thank you + Prof Just for the very pleasant day which I spend at [] yours very truly Francis Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [unknown]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/3bd010f325862a0d729fa6ecdefbd257.jpg?itok=EpmRv5WH&pid=ksl:ditalldar00089&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to unknown person to say that Charles Darwin first used the phrase "survival of the fittest" in 1868, and that Darwin had borrowed the phrase from Herbert Spencer. Transcription: "Oct 6-08 Dear Sir As far as I know my father first used the expression "survival of the fittest" in 1868. He borrowed it from Herbert Spencer; I do not at the moment remember where Spencer first used it yours faithfully Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 13 Madingley Road, Cambridge, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [unknown]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/df7fcd2d6cecf60ba9bf631831b43b98.jpg?itok=LhJTT-Fg&pid=ksl:ditalldar00088&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to unknown person to inquire about his father's address at a particular time. Transcription: "Jan 14 07 Dear Sir If you will look at the Life + Letters [] p 281, 283, 291 you will see that his lodgings were 36 St Marl borough St At vol1 p299 I say that the house occupied by him after his marriage was 12 Upper Gower St. I imagine that Upper G St was part of what is now all called Gower St but I cannot say how that may be I see no reason for thinking that there is a mistake as to his address at that time yours faithfully Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Wychfield, Cambridge, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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