<span>Letter to Alfred Neafie concerning a Christmas gift of a silver knife, and a brief discussion of theory. Transcription: "England, Dec.23;1872 Col Alfred Neafri: My dear Sir: While it gives me much pleasure to hear that you are a convert to my theories, I am in constant terror and anxiety, sir, lest you showed retrograde to your original condition. For, my dear sir, I have heard,(and I say this not in anger but in sorrow of heart,) that you are quite given to "growls" about things in general and some alas in []. Now, Col, if you have read my books all week, you must know that nothing is more indicative of a savage slate than growling. And in my anxiety and distress, lest you should furnish a case of entire reversion, I have counseled your wife to present you this silver fruit knife for your Chistmas Gift. [] Chat if your semi savage slate should increase upon </span><span>you. This timely and appropriate gift may incline you to use your hands, and thus keep out of sight the claws that generally are well developed in growling animals. It is fair, my dear sid, to assure you that your wife is not privy to these fears of mine, but gives this knife to you because she believes it in a measure [] holical of your wedded union-strong but not sharp: solid but not heavy: both useful and ornamental, brilliant and precious. I am, dear sir, with the Compliments of the Season your true friend Charles Darwin Col. Alfred Neafir Ellenville [] N.Y. U.S. America Darwin A Darwin Letter 1872 Purchased 1946 Was laid in "Animals+Plants under Domestication" Am. ed" Letter, signed by sender [written for Charles Darwin?]. Envelope included. Sent from Ellenville, Ulster County, New York.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts</span>
