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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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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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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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Show moreTranscription: "My dear Fanny We are infinitely obliged to you, after all your fatigue, writing to us about poor dear old Erasmus' illness. We had heard nothing of it. As he seemed somewhat better when you wrote, I will not doubt that the worst is over, for I think a Fever hardly ever lulls when it once begins. But it must pull him down terribly, weak as he always is. I shd. very much like to hear pretty soon ever so briefly. I daresay Caroline or Jos. would find time to write a line. You must all have been very much frightened. Good bye my dear Fanny, how many you have aided in illness. I shall never forget the comfort you were once to me, My dear Fanny. C. 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 moreDarwin asks Wallich for permission to publish a photograph (also enclosed in letter). The photograph is of a small girl wearing a hat and who is smiling. Transcription: "9. Devonshire Street [Parland] Place Feb [28]th 1872? My dear Sir you gave my the [most??] charming photograph. Now I am going to [buy] a [good] farm, which it is quite likely you may [] wish to [grant] In my little book an [Exposition?] I wish to give a photo [by] to [] map of 2 or 3 smiling faces. For this map the negative is [unrequired?]. Now if you [mind] to leaving me the negative, with the permission to [] that the photograph was [done] by you. You must, of course, [] the important [] in helping me. But if you grany this farm, could you send me the negative to above adding by [] Co [soon?], as I want [] to get the [] [plates??] finished soon. Was the smile intentionally []? or taken when [the] little bit who knew what you were doing? My dear Sir Yours sincerely Ch. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Written from Devonshire. Photograph included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription: "My dear Waterhouse I am so determined to make you a geologist, that I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy of Lyell, by which means I obtain full right to mal-treat & abuse you till you have read it. Ever yours, C. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription: "My dear Innes, I have been very glad to receive your pleasant letter; for to tell you the truth, I have sometimes wondered whether you would not think me an outcast and a reprobate after the publication of my last book. I do not wonder at all at your not agreeing with me, for a good many professed naturalists do not. Yet when I see in how extraordinary a manner the judgment of naturalists has changed since I published the Origin, I feel convinced that there will be in ten years quite as much unanimity about man, as far as his corporeal frame is concerned. Anyhow my views do not lead me to such conclusions about negros and slavery as yours do: I consider myself a good way ahead of you, as far as this goes. Thanks for the very curious story about the dog and mutton chops. They are wonderful animals, and deserve to be loved with all one's heart, even when they do steal mutton-chops. I am very sorry that you have been compelled to give up your farm, for I am sure it must have been a great amusement, and that you would have managed it very well. I have seen no one for a long time and heard no news of Mr Powell. The Friendly Club, which flourishes, meets tomorrow and I shall read aloud the accounts on my lawn in the usual way. You proved right about Mr. Horsman, and I never heard a word more from or about him; so I return all the documents, which you were so very kind as to send me, and which I shd. think it would be worth while to keep for some years, in case the scamp shd. again turn up. With hearty thanks for your letter with all its interesting details. Believe me, Dear Innes, Your's very sincerely, Ch. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts. Statement on Potentially Harmful Content: Digital Case provides access to historical and primary sources that may include language or content that is outdated, biased, offensive, or harmful. When such language or content is present in our repository, it is used solely to preserve the historical accuracy of the language, culture, and time period from which the content originated. If you are concerned about the language or content displayed in this record, please contact us at: digitalcase@case.edu
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Show moreDarwin writes to Innes concerning the Down Friendly Society matters. The second page is believed to be in Francis Darwin's handwriting. Transcription: "Feb 7th Beckenham Dear Innes I am sorry to trouble you; but the [] of Friday [for?] seems to have got into a fine [] + informed the Post-Office that he has no record of any [] for the [] Friday for, although quite [] he sent me a form for my Person, which was properly filled up + returned to the [] who communicated with the national [Post] Office. Nevertheless we must fill up the inclosed forms. Will you therefore be so good as to sign your name in the two places where I have marked with pencil. One of the signatures requires [] and I should think the interest had better give occupation + place of residence. Will you kindly let me have the papers back as soon as you can Yrs very sincerely Charles 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 moreTranscription:"My dear Mr Innes I am extremely sorry to hear of your toothache. You must not put, I think more than one drop of Chloroform on the tooth. I send Tincture of Arnica which smarts the skin (deadly Poison) to put outside. Mrs Darwin finds hot fomentations do best. Many find cold water applications best. I have found two or three drops of Alum & Swt Spirits of Nitre (in bottle with a label) sometimes do my teeth great good. I was not in when your note came. Yours, C. Darwin I send my bottles which you can return afterwards I send Creosote, some find a drop of this do much good" Letter, signed by sender.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription:"My dear Sir I enclose my 3£ subscription for your Sunday school, & I am much obliged to you for informing me it was due. I was sorry I was unable to see you the day you called & were so good as to leave the Coal Club Papers, but I have had an extra amount of unwellness of late. As you will probably like to know beforehand, I take this opportunity of begging to be allowed for the future to reduce my subscription to 2£ per annum to the Sunday School: my motive is that we subscribe altogether to five schools & I find the amount is rather too much for my means. Pray believe me, my dear Sir, Yours sincerely, C. Darwin Rev J. Innes" 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 moreTranscription: "My dear Innes Many thanks for your most kind letter & for sending me Dr Pusey's sermon, which I have been glad to see, but I am a little disappointed in it, as I expected more vigour & less verbiage. I hardly see how religion & science can be kept as distinct as he desires, as geology has to to treat of the history of the Earth & Biology that of man. But I most wholly agree with you that there is no reason why the disciples of either school should attack each other with bitterness, though each upholding strictly their beliefs. You, I am sure, have always practically acted in this manner in your conduct towards me & I do not doubt to all others. Nor can I remember that I have ever published a word directly against religion or the clergy. But if you were to read a little pamphlet which I received a couple of days ago by a clergyman, you would laugh & admit that I had some excuse for bitterness; after abusing me for 2 or 3 pages in language sufficiently plain & emphatic to have satisfied any reasonable man, he sums up by saying that he has vainly searched the English language to find terms to express his contempt of me & all Darwinians. We have just returned from a week in London, where we went as I wanted rest, but I am now tired, so will write no more. I suppose that the misery from that wicked Glasgow bank is something inconceivably great in Scotland. Believe me, My dear Innes, Yours very sincerely, Ch. 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 moreDarwin writes to Innes concerning the identification of a new tree. He thinks it may be the Guelder-Rose. The printed passage from a news clipping identifies the tree as Sambucus racemose, the red-berried elder. Transcription: "Oct 5 1877 Beckenham Dear Innes, It is a curious story about the tree. I am sorry that I am not a botanist, but I think the bush is the wild or single guelder-rose, which is said to be very rare in Scotland. Next summer you could --recognize-- know whether it is the guelder-rose, as the exterior flowers on the [filter] or head have considerably larger petals than the interior flowers. I wish indeed you back here, but that I know is an idle dream. Our present man has been at peace with all mankind, wonderful to say, for several months. We are glad to hear that Mr. [Hoole] will soon be here: some- one, but I cannot remember who, was speaking to us in the highest terms about him. I cannot think of any local news to tell you. I am going on just as usual + working very hard with Frank, at plants - Believe me , dear Innes, Yours very sincerely Charles Darwin A ROSS-SHIRE TRADITION. A tradition prevails in Ross-shire that it was foretold by the last preacher in a kirk at Loch Carron, now ruined, that after his death an unknown tree should spring up where his pulpit was, and that when it reacher above the wall there should be a European war. A tree of which the like is not known in the neighbourhood has grown on the spot. This year for the first time the top is above the wall. I send you a sprig and berries. Can you tell me what tree it is?-J. Brodie Innes. [The tree is Sambucus racemose, Red-berried Elder, in- troduced by Gerarde in the year 1596. No genus has more superstitions connected with it than has the Sambucus.-Eds.] Darwin about tree at Loch carron Oct 5. 1877." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Paper clipping included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin writes to Innes about the lichens found on the Scottish mountains. He also has news about the Hooles and mentions the burglary of High-Elms. Transcription: "Aug 23 1880 Down, Beckenham, Kent Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Innes The discovery of Barnacles of Scotlant on the [] on the mountains wd have been an extraordinary + vy interesting one, but I am sorry to say that the objects sent are not barnacles but vy hard Lichens. I do not remember to have seen any of the same kind, but I have never studied Lichens, _ they are vy perplexing bodies.- We returned on Saturday for [] where we staid a week with Horace + his charming little wife; + we enjoyed ourselves much, admiring the grandeur of []. Chapel + the other old [] of my early life. My wife has not seen poor Mrs [], since her return, but I daresay you have had late news of her, as Mrs [] was tellins us what a comfort to him your letters were, + that he often wrote to you. We have first had a curious scene on our lawn, [] 67 half-reformed criminals + [] boys. who have come down here for a holiday, + to each of whom I gave sixpence. Some of them had vy good faces + some are atrociously bad faces. Did you see in paper an account of a burglar at High-Elms; it was a bad one, as the burglars tried to force their way into the Butlers' pantry; he being within with no arms.- I wish I had got you [] for this []- Ever yours of [] Ch. 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 moreDarwin writes to Innes about bees and wasps. He is quite interested in Innes' observations on the behaviour of bees. Also mentions a book on the habits of worms to be published soon. Transcription: "Sep 15- 1887 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Innes The case of the bees not entering the battles seem very curious, + I will mention it to Lubbock, who is by far the best [] + observer of the minds of [] now living in the world. Wasps have been so extraordinarily rare here, as they appear to have been common with you.-The [] about the hexagon made by queen wasps in a very good one: I [] remember thinking [] this case, + how I wriggled out of the difficulty, I cannot remember. I do not believe that I was so dishonest as not to notice it: at least if I did do so, it was momentary forgetfulness, as I [] wasps + hornets' nests + studied the different kinds of nests in the B-[] + [] work that the queen command her comb, all by herself. This is really not a [] of news to tell you. Poor Mrs. Parslow is dead + she is a [] to the village, as she was wonderfully kind to any sick + poor person. I go on working in my [] manner + do what I can. I have occasionally [] my years to the habits of worms, + next month a little book on them by me will be published, + as some parts may [] interest [by] you(for you ought to have been a regular []) I will send you a copy as soon as it is published. My [], [], whom you may in old times have seen here, has lately diead; + I am glad today that his late illness was very short + without any sever suffering. Forever my dear Innes yours vy sincerely Ch. Darwin I see that I have forgetting to take break-edged paper." 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 moreDarwin writes to Innes to tell him of the arrival of the wasps' nest. Also writes about how he believes that the queen wasp builds a hexagonal cell, by straightening walls between several cells. Darwin goes further to say that the queen bee builds these at the same time. Transcription: "Sept. 22? Down My dear Innes The wasps' nest has arrived safe, except part of the outer walls, + was wonderfully well packed. The cells are not [filter entire line] [], as I expected to see them; as the outer walls, when not in contact with any other cell are [] [] or curved; + the [] or [] of the cells are also perfect. If a queen wish [] to move a single cell in to shape of a hexagon, the [] w? have been can [] one in my eyes. I believe that she builds up several cells at the same time + makes straight walls between the adjoining cells; + these intersecting [] between [tunneling?] [] produces the hexagon. - But the [] has gone out of my head, + I cannot harm them to force it into my old worn-out brains. Very-many thanks for your most kind letter [] yours sincerely Ch. 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 moreTranscription:"Dear Innes, We were much concerned at hearing yesterday evening of the death of your mother. I never heard of a more merciful release from suffering. In your sorrow you must have the satisfaction of knowing how excellent & attentive a son you have been; & one cannot have a higher satisfaction. I hope Mrs Innes has not suffered from the suddenness of the shock. With our united sympathy, pray believe me, Dear Innes, Yours very sincerely, Ch. 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 moreTranscription:"Dear Innes, Thanks for Coal-bill which I will pay as soon as I get home in about 10 days time. I am sincerely sorry to hear so poor an account of Mrs. Innes. We moved Etty here with much difficulty a fortnight ago, & she has improved very little, but thank God she has improved a little. She now can generally sit up for above 1⁄2 hour twice a day. I have been a good deal knocked up of late & have had to recur to Water-cure; but all our anxiety with Etty ill for 12 weeks has been enough to knock us up. But my wife has stood the incessant nursing wonderfully. Women are so good & unselfish, that helping others seems to do them good. Our plans are utterly Uncertain; we hope to take Etty to sea, whenever she is strong enough; but where & when are both quite unknown to us. What a wandering life you have been leading! We shall be very glad to see you at Down. I enquired (not alluding to you) about Mr Ainslie's house, but can hear nothing whatever. Parslow asked Mr Baxter, but he knew nothing. Farewell with our kind remembrances to Mrs. Innes— believe me, Dear Innes, Yours very sincerely, C. Darwin I hope from your note that Johnny is tolerably well." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Miss Wedgwoods, Hartfield, Tonbridge Wells, England. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription:"Dear Innes Many thanks for your kind enquiries about Etty. I am glad to be able to give a decidedly better account, though her progress is excessively slow. She now sits up several hours every day & has taken two or three very short drives. What is best of all is that the Doctors are now convinced there is no organic mischief. We have had an unhappy Summer; but I hope the worst is over. I am glad to have a pretty good account of your son; & I hope Mrs Innes is fairly well. My wife joins me in very kind remembrances to her. I hope you have not given up thinking about Down; though what house you could get, I cannot tell. I hear dreadful reports on the state of Mr. Ainslie's house. We were away from Down for an unusual time this summer, namely, six weeks; & have hardly seen a soul since our return; except J. Lubbock to talk Natural History with. Every thing goes on much as usual. {I some}times see Mr Phillips, [missing portion] of [missing portion] {re}membering my hobby of striped asses. I must say that I am a complete skeptic about the powers of rooks, curious as your stories are. What stories one hears about the spirit-rapping now-a-days— the old saying to believe nothing one hears & only half of what one sees is a golden rule. Farewell, with every good wish, [missing portion]" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription:"Dear Innes. I am very sorry to say that I fear we shall not see you when you come to Keston, for we have almost made up our minds to be off next week to sea-side for a month to see what the change will do for Etty, though I have not much hope. Your account of the Donkey has interested me much & would you be so kind as to have another look at it & observe whether its eyes are pink; but as you say it is rather cream-coloured than white, it probably is not an albino. Did the owner rear it; if so please ask him whether it was born of same colour & had then no stripes. Anytime will do for an answer. I am sorry to hear about your house difficulties. Dear Innes, Ever yours very truly, C. 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 moreTranscription:"Dear Innes Very many thanks for your kind note & all the trouble you have taken for me. Etty progressed very well here for 4 weeks, but I am sure that you will sympathise with us, when you hear that she had a terrible attack of sickness on Monday & which has not yet ceased. She is much prostrated & what the end will be, we know not. My poor wife is much knocked up. I am very glad you give a good of Johnny. Yours most truly, C. 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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