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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen giving intimate information on the wives of Eramus Darwin. Embossed stamp on stationary reads Atheneaum Club, Pall Mall. Transcription: "42 Ratland Gate St. Feb 25/85? Dear Grant Allen Most of what + all that I can tell you want is contained in 1 Ch. Darwin life of [Erasmus] Darwin 2- [Nup] Sewards life of him 3-Metgards life of wedgewood I return your letter with notes that George Darwin (when I knew I was to meet today) has scrawled on it. As regards Erasmus Darwin 2nd-[] [] widow of [] [], her maiden name was [] + there is some [] mystery as to her origin. though entire nouns there is little or no doubt this was an illegitimate daughter of Lord []. Her education + welfare had been carefully looked after by a sedate man of [], who up to after her 2nd-marriage continued to make formal + periodical visits, the topics of which were kept secret to her then young children + step children. I saw her []-only once as a child. She was a bright, active, kindly lady who lived to past 90. Her portrait as a young lady shows regal beauty. I mention all this to you for your own information. Of course understanding that writing of the illegitimate past is publicized. [] was at one time a [] admirer of [] turned savagely around on D-Darwin + was genuinely spiteful because he did not prepare to marry her as the uniform tradition goes, as she wanted D.E. Darwin had a respectable liason with Mrs Hadley before her marriage + his children by her were almost received on equal footing in the family (4) Mrs []'s whcih refer to Erasmnus Darwin here or there, [] are considered by our family as grossly inaccurate. She hoped her mature life + age in devout + seaside []. Her childhood was precocious + unnatural, + her [] was a time of mischief-making + I suppose hysterical perversion of character. She did frightful harm by misrepresentations very faithfully Francis Gallim" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 42 Rutland Gate SW.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Francis Galton to Arthur [Keith]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/2882bb5bf285c3eb93d7d4364c5f1c92.jpg?itok=Jqb1KSSc&pid=ksl:ditalldar00106&iic=true)
Show moreLetter in reply to Arthur's question about a geology book with a mention of Huxley's "Physiography". Also recommends Arthur read J. G. Frazer's 'Golden bough' to estimate the "value, historically, of Hebrwe-Christian doctrines and rites" Transcription: "Jan 9 1901 My dear Arthur I am glad you appreciate Haxley's lift + character to my mind both are first-rate. you ask about a color book. color is not much in my way and the science seems to me to want such a text book as [might, I shd think, be more written, beginning with the making of deformations experimentally and with the measured forces of erosion, transportation of rocks by flowing water, + all the physical agencies with which geologists are concerned. Haxley's 'Phytiography' passes through many editions + is in full [] now! As you see you have [] with scientific methods and precision it strikes me that you would find a thorough study of [] Golden Bough" (3 vols) very [] in estimating the value, historically, of Hebret ow Christian doctrines + rites. He takes the Golden Bough [Lake of Nemi...."the priest who flew the Slayershall himself be slain"] as a text, to string together a most marvellously large collection of custom, beliefs, [] of all nations. I find the [expiratory] part most interesting. Frazer is as you may know, a first rate scholar with the strongest leaning towards the archaeological side. His 6 volume([big] ones) translation + comments on [] are a monumental work. His Golden Bough([], enlarged + uniformed in the recent 3 vol Edition) is also quite first class. He arrives [at] conclusions, except in the narrow sense of the meaning of the Golden Bough [], but indicate many of the highest importance. Of course one can [] understand that a man in his position at Cambridge, + with his antecendents would refrain as far as possible from [] feelings. He is a most good + thorough as well as a most learned + capable man. I know of very much to his credit. I trust you will pull well through the bitter months of the year. We, that is Eva + I, hope to go south in a fortnight perhaps, or in 3 weeks or so. Affectionately yours Francis Galton" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 42, Rutland Gate.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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