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Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 11891

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Darwin writes to say that he has read Grant Allen's book (The colour-sense with "great interest" and also offers some criticisms and suggestions. Darw
Show moreDarwin writes to say that he has read Grant Allen's book (The colour-sense with "great interest" and also offers some criticisms and suggestions. Darwin does not believe Allen's theory of the origin of pleasure and pain, though he agrees with his defense of sexual selection. Darwin finds A.R. Wallace's explanations "mere empty words", and also doubts Wallace's scientific judgment. Darwin goes on to say that the possible effect of environmental color on the color tastes of animals. Letter is noted to be written before February 21, 1879. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Dear Sir Darwin Down Beckenham Kent I have read the [] of your book with [] without. This contains very many [] new to me + highly [], + some new facts. I read it, however to avoid fatigue in an [] spirit: [] [] of [] [] my mind of him. You [] me with having to [] a cave of truth, that I believe you will prefer hearing a few uncomfortable remarks rather than more []. [23 [] + Mrs Lubbock [] to be referred to about the mark "[]" quite [] my year I could not believe in [] meaning, would I find that their development was correlated with that of the rectory. see 373 [] of []] [Wiesman of Vicar. has shown the [] in gray + tender parts in [] an [] of light + he believes that the red scales are at end of [] + seem to portent the parts from [] [] which are the most [].]"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 13594

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Thanks Grant Allen for his article, "The daisy's pedigree", Cornhill Mag. 44 (1881): 168–81. Darwin writes that the evolutionary argument that petals
Show moreThanks Grant Allen for his article, "The daisy's pedigree", Cornhill Mag. 44 (1881): 168–81. Darwin writes that the evolutionary argument that petals are transformed stamens is “striking and apparently valid”. He doubts petals are naturally yellow. A. R. Wallace’s “generalization about much modified parts being splendidly coloured” is also dubious except as both are caused by sexual selection. . Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan 2nd 188[9] Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear sir I thank you for sending me the [], as your article has interested me much. Many years ago I thought it highly probable that petals were in all cases transformed stamens. I forgot ([] the water-lily) what made me think so; but I am sure that your evolutionary argument never occurred to me, as it is too striking + apparently valid ever to be forgotten. I cannot help [] about petals being naturally yellow. I speak only from vague memory, but I think that the filaments are generally white or almost white, + [surely] it is the filament which is [] with the petal. I remember some [] purple + bright yellow filaments, not [] seemed to me to [] by adding [] to the under []. It is not the pollen alone which renders most [] a [] yellow at a cursory glance? You my pupils like to hear that I have described cases (+ others have been described) where an [] [] has rendered a flower double. I can hardly [] that any great change of conditions (which has so [] a tending to cause []) [] to renders a flower double. [] [] breeding here a slight tendency in this direction, as has according [], a hybrid origin. With many thanks for the pleasure which your article has given me, I remain yours sincerely Ch. Darwin I suppose that you know Hr. Muller's [], as it contains much about colour of flowers + mean of variety insects. I must doubt Wallace's [] about much mobilized parts being splendidly coloured, except"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates], 12951

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Darwin informs Henry Walter Bates of arrangements for signing the memorial to W. E. Gladstone [for a civil pension for Wallace]. Darwin has got Duke o
Show moreDarwin informs Henry Walter Bates of arrangements for signing the memorial to W. E. Gladstone [for a civil pension for Wallace]. Darwin has got Duke of Argyll to write to Gladstone in favor of it. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Private Huxley thinks that the Presidents had better sign in a body, so that the memorial shall be sent to you afterwards for your signature with an envelope addressed to Sir J. [], if you will forward it without delay- C.D. As I do not know [] [] I have not enclosed an envelope: would you write outside the envelope "To be forwarded if not at home"; for it is important that the [] it? read me [] before Parliament meets- I have got the Duke of [] to write a private letter to me G. in form of the []."
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to H. W. Bates, 12970

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Alarm over Wallace’s memorial. Darwin asks Henry Walter Bates if he has received it and forwarded it to Hooker. Wanted to get it to Gladstone before P
Show moreAlarm over Wallace’s memorial. Darwin asks Henry Walter Bates if he has received it and forwarded it to Hooker. Wanted to get it to Gladstone before Parliament met. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan. 3rd 1887 (After our 2nd Post) Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates I am rather alarmed about the memorial for Wallace. Mr [] wrote that he had forwarded it to you. Have you received it + on what day did you forward it to Sir J. []? Pray forgive me troubling you. I am much disappointed in not having been able to just [] M. into [] [] hands some days before [] of Parliament. yours vy sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to H. W. Bates, 13691

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Darwin asks Henry Walter Bates to sign and return F.R.S. certificate for Raphael Meldola; if he objects to signing, Darwin will not mention the fact.
Show moreDarwin asks Henry Walter Bates to sign and return F.R.S. certificate for Raphael Meldola; if he objects to signing, Darwin will not mention the fact. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Feb. 17" 1882 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear bates Will you be so good as to sign the enclosed certificate for Mr. [], who does not expect to be elected until 2 or 3 years have elapsed? Please return in enclosed envelope. But if for any reason you object, I will mention this past to no one. I shall ask Sir J. [] if he [] sign _ then send it in to []. My dear Bates, yours very sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3100

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Darwin writes about variations in species, particularly commenting on the female variety. Also acknowledges his belief in the glacial period and its a
Show moreDarwin writes about variations in species, particularly commenting on the female variety. Also acknowledges his belief in the glacial period and its affects on the tropics, though he does not agree with H. W. Bates arguments on the subject. Darwin also poses questions concerning natural selection towards the end of the letter. Transcription: "March 26 1861 Down [] [Have you [united] copy of his edit of Origin?] Dear Sir. I have read your papers with extreme interest + I have carefully read every word of them. They seem to me to be far richer in facts or variation, + especially on the distribution of varieties + subspecies, than anything which I have read. Hereafter I shall reread them, + hope in my future work to [] them + make use of them. The amount of variation has much [] me. The analogous variation of distinct species in the [] region strikes me as particularly curious. The [quota?] variability of female sex is new to me. Your Guiana case seems in some degree analogous, as far as plants are concerned, with the modern [] of La Plata, which seems to have been colonized from the north, but the species have been hardly mobilized. I have been particularly struck with you remarks on the Glacial period. You seem to me to have put the case with [] [] clearly + with everything [force?]. I am quite staggered with the [] + do not know what to think. Of late several facts have turned up leading me to believe more living that the glacial period did affect the [] []; but I can make no answer to your argument; + am completely in a [] []. By an odd chance I had only a few days [] been discussing this subject. in relation to plants, with Dr. [Hooke] who believes to a certain extent; but [] [] the [] apparent [] in the [] regions. I state in a letter some days ago to him that the [] of S. America seems to have suffered less than the Old World. There are very perplexing points, [] plants seem to have migrated far more than animals. [] species may have been formed more [] within [] than one would have expected. I freely confess that you have confounded me: but I cannot yet give up my belief that the glacial period did to certain extent affect the []. [Would] you kindly answer me 2 or 3 questions if in your power.- Where species (A) becomes modified in another region into a wide marked form (C). but is connected with it by one(or more) [] forms(B), inhabiting an intermediate region: does this form (B) generally [] in equal numbers with (A) + (C), [+] inhabit an equally large area?- The probability is that you cannot answer this question: things are of your cases seem to bear in it. Has [] Baby [] [] []: if 10 ,or when he does, would you give him [reference] to his paper? [] Butterflies, in which the sexes are differently colored, is the male or female most beautiful in our eyes? Do you know in [] any strictly nocturnal moths with gaudy colours? As with birds, have you ever noticed the female butterflies make any selection of the male which they copulate? Do several males pursue same female? Are butterflies attracted by gay colours, as it has been [] Dragon-flies are. Any authentic facts on the [] of Butterflies would be most thankfully [received] + [] by []. But I can see how [] [] if is that anything [] have been observed. You will, I think, be glad to hear that I now often hear of naturalists accepting my views more or less fully; but some are curiously cautious in [] milk of any [] [] in [] their belief. [] [candid?] [] + [perfect?] My dear sir [] yours 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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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3266

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Transcription: "My dear Sir, Your letter, like every one that I have received from you, has been a mine of wealth and has interested me greatly. But f
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir, Your letter, like every one that I have received from you, has been a mine of wealth and has interested me greatly. But first for the most important point, viz your Book of Travels, and I hearily rejoice that you intend publishing. I shd. think that you could not have a more respectable or pleasanter publisher than Mr Van Voorst. At the same time, I apprehend, there can be no doubt that Murray has much greater power of getting large distribution. Murray has the character of being a very liberal paymaster and I am sure I have found him most liberal and pleasant to deal with. Of course every publisher will be cautious with a new author. If your Book should turn out popular (and there is some little mere luck in this) it would be a thousand pities that it shd. not be in hands that could press its sale. I cannot remember that Mr V. Voorst has ever had very large sale for any of his Books. On other hand Mr V. V. would better appreciate your scientific character than Mr Murray. This is all the advice I can give; except that I rejoice I went to Murray with the Origin. By the way here is case in point! Colburn did not value my Journal of Researches and would never, I am sure, have published a second Edit. I took it from Colburn and sold it to Murray and it has long and great sale up to present day. If you shd. decide on Mr Murray, and if you would so like I shall be most happy to write to Mr. Murray and can most truly tell him how much I appreciate the force of intellect and knowledge and style of your letters to me. What terms he would offer you I cannot conjecture: he would, no doubt, wish to see some M.S. As an old hackneyed author let me give you a bit of advice, viz to strike out every word, which is not quite necessary to connect subjects and which would not interest a stranger. I constantly asked myself, would a stranger care for this? and struck out or left in accordingly. I think too much pains cannot be taken in making style transparently clear and throwing eloquence to the dogs. I hope that you will not think these few words impertinent. (I would sell only 1st. Edition.) Now for a few words on Science. Many thanks for facts on Neuters. You cannot tell how I rejoice that you do not think what I have said on subject absurd. Only 2 persons have ever noticed it to me! Viz the bitter sneers of Owen in Eding. Review, and my good friend and supporter Sir C. Lyell, who could only screw up courage to say "well you have manfully faced the difficulty". What a wonderful case of Volucella, of which I had never heard; I had no idea such a case occurred in nature: I must get and see specimens in Brit. Museum.1 I hope and suppose you will give a good deal of Nat. History in your Travels; everyone cares about Ants— more notice has been taken of Slave Ants in the Origin that of any other passage. I fully expect to delight in your Travels. Keep to simple style as in your excellent letters, but I beg pardon I am again advising. What a capital paper yours will be on mimetic resemblances. You will make quite a new subject of it. I had thought of such cases as a difficulty, and once when corresponding with Dr. Collingwood, I thought of your explanation; but I drove it from my mind, for I felt that I had not knowledge to judge one way or the other. Dr. C., I think, states that the mimetic forms inhabit same country; but I did not know whether to believe him. What wonderful cases yours seem to be. Could you not give a few woodcuts in your Travels to illustrate this? I am tired with hard's day's work— so no more, except to give my sincere thanks and hearty wishes for the success of your Travels. My dear Sir, Yours sincerely, 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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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3382

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Transcription: "My dear Sir, I have been very bad for fortnight and could not read your M.S. before today and yesterday. It is, in my opinion excellen
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir, I have been very bad for fortnight and could not read your M.S. before today and yesterday. It is, in my opinion excellent—style perfect—description first-rate (I quite enjoyed rambling in forests) and good dashes of original reflexions. I must write very briefly. Remember that large sale of a Book depends much on chance, on whether public mind occupied—other books coming out to [illegible], but I feel assured that your Book will be a permanently good one, and that your friends will always feel a satisfaction at its publication. I will write when you like to Murray. Could you add a notion by simile to kind of mysterious sounds heard in forest? but be vague and very brief in any simile. for description as it now stands is grand. Did the native look round and shrink or hide when he trembled and heard sound? This is capital. Matador very good- Better than very good.— at p. 9. ought you not to enlarge one sentence to show why the diversity of classes of Lianas interested you? Is it because as to showing that many Families have thus become modified—something in same way as Marsupials, Edentata, Carnivora, Rodentata, and Quadrumana have here in another manner become "climbers". How are moths and sphinxes in Tropics. Did you sugar? Is the little Heron insectivorous? State somewhere for me, whether any of the Mammals and Birds often and long kept in confinement in native home, breed?f9 I like much discussion on Burmeister. I like all. I am very weak and tired. Do not think you have anything to thank me for— it has been pleasure. Go on as you have begun and you will surely succeed. Yours very sincerely, C. Darwin Hooker is much interested by what I told him about your conclusion of colours. of Butterflies and Tropics. M.S. returned by the Post." 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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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3460

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Transcription: "My dear Sir I will write again; but I do not want to lose a post to say that the terms are very favourable: I never heard of such term
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir I will write again; but I do not want to lose a post to say that the terms are very favourable: I never heard of such terms being offered for first work. You may depend he thinks very highly of your Book. I have always agreed for each edition separately, (except for my Journal which I disposed of all at once for much worse terms); but I think the terms are so good, I would let Murray do as he likes. You might say you should prefer agreeing for only one Edition. I am heartily glad. Yours, 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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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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Letter from Charles Darwin to H. W. Bates 3532

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Transcription: "My dear Mr Bates, Hearty thanks for your most interesting letter and three very valuable extracts. I am very glad that you have been l
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Mr Bates, Hearty thanks for your most interesting letter and three very valuable extracts. I am very glad that you have been looking at the S. temperate insects. I wish that the materials in B. Museum had been richer, but I should think the case of the S. American Carabi, supported by some other case, would be worth a paper. To us who theorise I am sure the case is very important. Do the S. American Carabi differ more from the other species, than do, for instance, the Siberian and European and N. American and Himalayan (if the genus exists there); if they do, I entirely agree with you that the difference would be too great to account for by the recent Glacial period. I agree, also, with you in utterly rejecting an independent origin for these Carabi. There is a difficulty, as far as I know, in our ignorance whether insects change quickly in time; you could judge of this by knowing how far closely allied Coleoptera generally have much restricted ranges, for this almost implies rapid change. What a curious case is offered by Land-Shells, which become modified in every sub-district, and have yet retained the same general structure from very remote geological periods. When working at glacial period, I remember feeling much suprise how few Birds, no mammals and very few sea-mollusca seemed to have crossed, or deeply entered, the intertropical regions during the cold period. Insects, from what you say, seem to come under the same category. Plants seem to migrate more readily than animals. Do not underrate the length of Glacial period; Forbes used to argue that it was equivalent to the whole of the pleistocene period in the warmer latitudes. I believe with you that we shall be driven to an older Glacial period. I am very sorry to hear about B. Museum; it would be hopeless to contend against any one supported by Owen. Perhaps another chance might occur before very long. How would it be to speak to Owen, as soon as your own mind is made up? From what I have heard, since talking to you, I fear strongest personal interest with Minister is requisite for Pension. Farewell and may success attend the "acerrimo propugnatori", Yours very sincerely, C. Darwin I deeply wish you could find some situation in which you could give your time to Science; it would be a great thing for science and for yourself." 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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Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

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http://hdl.handle.net/2186/ksl:ditalldar00041