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Show moreLetter to Professor John Stevens about an upcoming visit from Joseph Hooker. Transcription: "Hoolher Dr. Kew March 27/87 Dear Henslow, I am here again all [] several + may [] [] to [] as even as [] to all your party that receives me. If possible I should like to return my admirably gray [] which would be something in hand to begin with, + as the matter is very complicated I quite expect to be called by the [] to a talk which could not be before Friday + Saturday. I shall be in [] all this day + tomorrow + would therefore propose going down to [] on [] (spending [] with my Mother here) any train will suit me + I suppose I can get [] at []. With [] regards Ever yrs Josh Hoolher" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Kew.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher to request list of Darwin's Letters in the Stecher collection. Transcription: "By Air Mail Par Avion Air Letter Aerogramme Dr. Robert M. Stecher Metropolitan General Hospital 3395 Scranton Road Cleveland 9 Ohio U.S.A. Sir Gavin de Beer 39 Shrewsbury House Cheyne Walk London SW3 England The Royal Society Burlington House, London, W.1 Regent 3335 As from 39 Shrewbury House, Cheyne Walk, London S W 3 28 October 1960 Dear Dr Stecher, I am writing to thank you again for your kindness in taking time and trouble to telephone to me on your way through London when you only had so very little time to spare. I look forward very much to a meeting and longer conversation next time. In one of the letters which you wrote to me earlier, you very kindly offered to let me have a list of the Darwin letters in your magnificent collection. I should be extremely grateful if you could do this, because I am about to stack up me card- index of every dateable event in Darwin's life, and letters with their dates and the places from which they were written, the names of their addressees, and a very brief statement of the subject treated, are the material from which the man's running thoughts can be followed better than from any other source, If dates, place, addressee, and brief statement of subject, I think that I could make a real contribution to Darwinian studies, thanks to you. I might also be able to date undated letters for you, and to find the names of addressees where no specified. Even trivia are very valuable for these purposes With best wishes Yours sincerely [Cravin du Bur??]" Air letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Royalty Society, Burlington House, London.
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher discussing possible reasons for Charles Darwin's bad health. Transcription: "15/3/1948 Dear Dr. Stecher, It was a great pleasure to get your letter + to read the interesting excerpt from Dr. Alvarez's work. How good of you to have it typed, so that I can keep it with other reports I have of me grandfather's ill-health. Very many thanks. The doctors do not yet agree on this topic; Dr. Douglas Hubble (The Lancet Jan. 30-1943) considers that Charles' fear of his father, Robert, was an important factor in the neurosis to which he attributes his 40 years of ill-health. Dr. Buckstone Browne considers it a simple matter of stomach trouble which could have been cured by dieting! I think Dr. Alvarez's approach the right one; + have always seen in Rom Wedgwood (who, by the way was Emma's uncle, not brother) a neurotic state which together with the Darwin contribution through Dr. Erasmus, could be made to account too much. But without much more work it is impossible to say very definitely, + there are almost always stray uncles + aunts in every family tree to account for oddities! But if it is true that a poor nervous heredity came in on both sides of the family, it is indeed remarkable that with the frequent cousin marriages that took place for three generations, no more cases of nervous instability occurred. It is curious too to consider, that Tom Wedgwood, A brilliant mental endowment well above the average, infused into hopeless inertia, as did C.O's brother, Erasmus. But in C.O himself + two of his sons + one daughter. any nervous trouble that existed seems to have affected the stomach, + not to have impaired the will to work. I hope you will get your collection of caricatures + cartoons together; + what about the baldness? Perhaps you will be visiting England [], in which case I trust you will let us know, as it would be a great pleasure to see you again Yours Sincerely Nora Barlow Dr. Robert M. Stecher City Hospital Cleveland USA" Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Boswells, Wendover, Aylesbury.
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher, discussing possible reasons for Charles Darwin's bad health. Transcription: "15/3/1948 Dear Dr. Stecher It was a great pleasure to get your letter + to read the interesting except from Dr. Alvarez's work. How good of you to have it typed, so that I can keep it with other reports I have at my grandfather's ill-health. Very many thanks. The doctors do not yet agree on this topic; Dr. Douglas Hubble (The Lancet Jan. 30th - 1943) considers that Charles' fear of his father, Robert, was an important factor in the neurosis to which he attributes his 40 years of ill-health. Dr. [Buckstone] Browne considers it a simple matter of stomach trouble which could have been cured by dieting! I think Dr. Alvarez's approach the right one; + have always seen in Rom Wedgwood (who, by the way was Emma's uncle, not brother) a neurotic state which together with the Darwin contribution through Dr. Erasmus, could be made to account too much. But without much more work it is impossible to say very definitely, + there are almost always stray uncles + aunts in every family tree to account for oddities! But if it is true that a poor nervous heredity came in on both sides of the family, it is indeed remarkable that with the frequent cousin marriages that took place for three generations, no more cases of nervous instability occurred. It is curious too to consider, that Tom Wedgwood, A brilliant mental endowment well above the average, infused into hopeless inertia, as did C.O's brother, Erasmus. But in C.O himself + two of his sons + one daughter. any nervous trouble that existed seems to have affected the stomach, + not to have impaired the will to work. I hope you will get your collection of caricatures + cartoons together; + what about the baldness? Perhaps you will be visiting England [], in which case I trust you will let us know, as it would be a great pleasure to see you again Yours Sincerely Nora Barlow Dr. Robert M. Stecher City Hospital Cleveland" Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Boswells, Wendover, Aylesbury.
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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen asking if there is any room in the theory of evolution for "designing mind... behind the first steps..." Transcription: "[filter] of Temperance Movement from Albert Wilberforce The Deanery, Southampton Aug 16 (1881), 20 [Dennis yard?] Mr Allen [] During my long spell of illness I have read among other things your quite delightful volume of articles under the title of "[The] Evolutionary at large" I have no [filter] to learn your writs a question + shall not be surprised if you are too busy to reply to me but it would interest me to know whether in your work of proving that the beauty order + [] of nature are due to other [] interaction of a vast number of natural laws and not to any distinct aesthetic intention on the part of nature you mean to exclude any aesthetic intention on the part of some initiating mind behind Nature. I have considered [] evolution if satisfactory, proved [] added to [] [] [] the [] are a majority of the [] [] that never have been [] the first steps and [] [] make out whether your conclusions leave room for the designer in other words where the [] excludes the idea of god, how does he get on [] [] With many apologies for my intrusion I am faithfully yours Albert Wilberforce" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Deanery, Southampton.
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Show moreLetter to Sir Crookes praising him for his papers on psychic force defending spiritualism. Wallace hopes that Crookes can soon exhibit his "self registering" experiments at the Royal Institution. Crookes wrote that Psychic force and modern spiritualism, a reply to the "Quarterly Review" and other critics, London 1872. Transcription: "1616. Hoolly House, Barkery, R. Oct. 8th. 1871 Dear Mr. Crookes Many thanks for the espy of your papers on Psychic Face. The 2nd is most admirable, both in the tone + spirit with which it answers [], + the irresistible force of its new facts. Spiritualists are greatly indebted to you for furnishing them, in your self registered experiments, with a formal answer to the "[]" objection, recently put forth by Balfour Stewart + still more recently made the subject of a book supposed to crush spiritualism, by []. I hope you may soon be able to exhibit these self registering experiments in the theatre of the Royal Listihition. yours very faithfully N. Crookes Esq. Alfred R. Wallace" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Holly House, Barking, E.
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Show moreLetter to Robert Mallet to say that the political impediments must be overcome to carry through his project of geologizing in the area of Naples, Italy. Transcription: "53 Harley St London [] 4.1058 My dear [sir] I have spoken with the Pres. I will a [] of the [] in favour of your proposition provided you can get Government countenance + help - I have said all I can The difficulties must be looked in the face - [Tim?] is of no value in the eyes of Neapoli- tans - To get competant interpreters [is] no easy matter - The first idea to be overcome is to show that you do not go to produce a political [court?] -quarter of which they, the authorities, live in dread. I was advised when there a month ago [] attempt to [geoligize?] south of Naples because of the state of the county, he I suspect that they alluded to California. S. of where you would have to go Difficulties may disappear when boldly confronted but I fear official + po- litical impediments where [] is so limited - However I thank the object so food + on that I only state the obstacles in the hope of their being overcome [] [] Cha Lyell R. Matthew Esq." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 53 Harley St, London.
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes thanking him for a donation of 10 pounds toward the church restoration fund. Transcription: "The Vicarage, Downe, Beckenham, Augt. 27. 1873 Dear Mr. Innes, I beg you will accept my best thanks for your Cheque of ten pounds to wards our Chutch res -toration fund, which I received today. Your counsel as to modifying the Choral Elemint in our Services has been followed + I trust the [] is appreciated. There is a sculptor [] [] of [] here, which which renders any high flights in this direction impossible. A family is coming to [] from Orpington-Church people, who will, I hope set a good example. I fancy there is a rather bitter attendance since the restoration, + I am glad that Mrs Smith's chil dren have been Christened +[] + they come to Churc. Thank you, the Vicarage house is comfortable, but we have already [] [] of what we may expect by way of wind in in less genial seasons. un fortunately, trees do not grow up in a day. I hope we shall be spared the in fliction of a Schoolboard which is quite unnecessa ry, besides being both troublesome + expensive. If we continue to raise 100 pounds [] by rate coluntarily, we may do so. We now get a [] grand of 33 pounds a yr which, will, of course, reduce our rate W 5. or 6. in the pound. I remain, yrs truly G.S. Ffinden" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Vicarage, Down, Beckenham, Kent.
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Show moreLetter to Unknown person concerning the raising of money to pay for the restoration of the church at Down. Transcription: "The Vicarage, Downe, Beckenham, Kent. August 6. 1873 Dear Sir, The work undertaken for the restoration at Downe Church being more [] [], we are closing the accounts, + find a deficiency in the cost (1:500 pounds) of about 150[pounds]. This is more, indeed, than we had expected, owing to the large amount of reparation that was required. The greater por- tion of the funds have been been contributed by those who are totally uncon nected with the Parish, + we cannot apply to them again, + whilst fully appreciating what yourself + other owners of Property here have done in forwarding the good work, we yet feel that out only alternative is to make this appeal to their [glorious?] feelings for [] suable us to clear off the debt. We hope you will kindly give us a helping hand, + so, in all probability, induce others others to assist in making up the required amount to pay for a really good work, which in the di- lapidated state of the Church, was, as you are aware, a positive necessi- ty. Awaiting your kind reply, We remain, Dear Sir, Your's very faithfully, G.S. Ffinden, (Vicar.) Frederick Allen The Revnd churchwarden I Brodie Innes." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Vicarage, Down, Beckenham, Kent.
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes to ask for approval on proposal. Transcription: "Secretary's Department, Bounty Office Dean's Yard, Westminster,S.W. 11th May 1874 Revd Sir/C. Downe As [patron?] of this Benefice and Down of 1,000 pounds, to obtain 200 pounds from the Governors and the patronage from the Archbishop of Canterbury, I have deemed it advisable to inform you that a proposal is before the governors to purchase of the Ecclesiastical Commisioners a [] of Lishe, [] amounting to 47.10.0 pounds for 1,200 pounds, and contingend on this purchase, the Commissioners are willing to add a further amount of [] amounting to 18 pounds per [] as an additional endorsement of the Benefice- I will [] you to state of pupable, by return of post, if you approve of this proposal- I am Revd Sir your obed Servt Joseph K Aston Secratary Revs J.B. Innes Approved JBI" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Secretary's Department, Bounty Office, Dean's Yard, Westminster, S.W.
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Show moreLetter to John Innes, asking for his approval of a proposal. Transcription: "Secretary's Department, Bounty Office Dean's Yard, Westminster,S.W. 11th May 1874 Revd Sir/C. Downe As [patron?] of this Benefice and Down of 1,000 pounds, to obtain 200 pounds from the Governors and the patronage from the Archbishop of Canterbury, I have deemed it advisable to inform you that a proposal is before the governors to purchase of the Ecclesiastical Commisioners a [] of Lishe, [] amounting to 47.10.0 pounds for 1,200 pounds, and contingend on this purchase, the Commissioners are willing to add a further amount of [] amounting to 18 pounds per [] as an additional endorsement of the Benefice- I will [] you to state of pupable, by return of post, if you approve of this proposal- I am Revd Sir your obed Servt Joseph K Aston Secratary Revs J.B. Innes Approved JBI" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Secretary's Department, Bounty Office, Dean's Yard, Westminster, S.W.
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Show moreManuscript list of books found on particular book shelves Transcription: "Vols. Division.A.2nd Shelf Date 1. Moral+Political Philosophy(Atchd.Paley) 1486 1. Philosophy of Natural History(W.Smellie) 1490 1. Natural Philosophy([], Eufield) 1485 1. The Religion of Nature delineated 1425 8. The Harleian Aliscollany: Curious Tracts +c. from the late Earl of Oxford's Library 1444 9. The itinerary of John Leland d. Antiquary 1440 3. Earl of Shaftesbury's Characteristicks of [], +c..(Printed by J. Baskerville) 1443 1. The Works of Jonathan Richardson 1492 1. Popular Antiquities (John Brand) 1810 2. supplement to the 3rd edition of the } Encyclopedia Britannica marked 19 }1801 +20, vols 1_18, on shelf below._ } 3rd Shelf 18. Encyclopedia Britanicca_ 3rd edition vols. 19_20 on next shelf above. 1494 4th Shelf 1. [] Abraham Cowley's Works 1680 1. The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (Sir Philip Sidney, K.t) 1655 1. A Catalogue of English Kings, Princes +c from Norman Conquest to A.D.1619 1619"
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher answering inquiries about Charles Darwin's health. Transcription: "Dr. Robert M. Stecher Metropolitan general Hospital 3395 Scranton Rd. Cleveland 9 Ohio USA Sender's name and address: N. Barlow Boswells Werdover Boswells, Werdover March 18, 1960 Dear Dr. Stecher, I was delighted to hear from you after all these years, and to know of your further Darwin activities. This will only be an interim letter to answer the immediate questions which do not need further enquiry. I am so glad your interest seems as keen as ever. all these matters, and I wonder whether you have kept abreast of the spate of literature about C.D. on both sides of the Atlantic in these centenary years? - Eisely, Himmelfarb, Gavin de Beer + the rest. I will take the questions in order. Starting with 1); I shall have no objection to your quoting my letter to you of 1948, if, as I hope, you get your discourse of March 3 this year printed. I look forward to reading what you said in your discourse, + hope you "[]" with approval + were a great success. 2); Baldness. I remember no suggestion that my grandmother was bald - I do not think that her cap was to conceal this; but merely the fashion of the day. She did have a very high forehad, as is shown in all photographs of her. 3)Health. I have just received a letter from Dr. Alvarez + his recent study of Darwin's health, + I expect you have also. I still think it rather inconclusive to harp on the inheritance. A "bad genes" from both sides, though I agree that the illness was probably largely psycho-somatic. His childrens' peculiarities did not prevent them from living active full lives - except in the case of Aunt [Effy?], Mrs Litchfield. But in the question of C.D's health, a newer suggestion has cropped up, which I like to think may be true, to remove C.D from these constant speculations of psychic disorder. (See Lancets-1934, i. p.129;1953, ii, p.1351;1054,i,pp.106, 414,467. [][ LXXX,1946,p.74. Biology of Human Affairs, Oct 1954,referring to these matters by Hubble, Good + myself.) The new suggestion comes from Dr. Adler, OBE, FRCP, FRS, Hebrew-University; Israel, who recently visited S. America, + was impressed by the similarity of the symptoms of the chronic Chagas disease caused by the triatomed bug, Triatoma intestans, with C.D's illnesses. The description C.D. gives of allowing the bug of [Meadga?] to bite him, was in march 1835, + therefore unless he had been previously infected, this rules out the Chagas disease accounting for the first serious illness in S. America in 1834. You will find an account of this in Nature Autumn 1959, but I can't lay my hands on the exact reference, Unfortunately one date is given wrongly*. The further questions I am pursuing are A) The origin of the unidentified cartoon; + B) The whereabouts of the certificate of C.D's [] membership to the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, 1870. I will write again if I can gain any information on these points. With all Good Wishes Yours Sincerely Nora Barlow *This will be under Gavin de Beer's name." Airmail letter, signed by sender. Sent from Boswells, Wendover.
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Show moreLetter to [Grant Allen] on color perception of animals including man. Significance of colored flowers and fruits. Also discusses Gladstone's paper on Homer's color terms. Transcription: "Rosehill, Dorking Oct. 7th 1877 My dear Sir I have read the passages you marked, as well as a good many other parts of your book with much pleasure. I was particularly pleased with your suggestion (which had not occurred to me) that fruits, in our sense of the word, are more research developments than flowers because they attract chiefls mammals + birds instead of insects. There is I admit a partial contradiction between the view that red excites animals on account of its glaring contrast, + that yet the perception of it by man is recent. The latter view must I believe be incorrect, + should be stated I think even more hypothetically that I have [] it. I have just been reading Mr. Gladstone's interesting paper which is almost wholly on flowers' colour terms or rather the absence of them. The evidence is most curious, but I think it only goes to show that language was imperfect, and that colour was too infinitely [] + of too little importance to early man, to have received a systematic nomenclature. Flowers + birds + insects were despised, + the colours of more important objects as the sea [] earth, [], [] etc. were not only not pure colours (generally) but subject to endless fluctuations. Your remarkson insects are very good. I quite overlooked that case + shall refer to you when I reprint my papers with others in a volume shortly. I think all the coloured fruits which are poisonous to man are eatable to some birds etc. They are far too numerous to be accounted for otherwise. With many thanks Believe me yours faithfully Alfred R. Wallace Grant Allen Esq." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Rosehill, Dorking.
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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen for his kind words about Wallace's "Darwinism". Also, he discusses reasons for his rejections of "sexual selection". Transcription: "Parkstone, Dorset. July 22nd. 1889 My dear [Grant] Allen I must write a line to thank you for your kind + far too flattering [] of my "Darwinism." - I feel that your offering sentience is not correct, + that I have received full recognition - even more than full - for all the little I have done in natural history. I accept however with the satisfaction your recognition of my work for "Land Nationalisation" since I myself consider that by for the more important of the two. I am pleased, too, with your recognition of the twofold objects of my book + I am glad to find that you think I have succeeded in both objects. With your remarks in the 3rd Col. if you [] of course I do not agree. You are right in your [] that my spiritualism led me to my views as to man, but I deny altogether that this is an a priori view, since the facts of spiritualism are to me just as real and certain as the facts of organic nature, and I am bound to bring the two into harmony. But you are wrong again as to this view having had any influence in my rejection of -natural- sexual selection. That arose solely from the absence of evidence for it, and the to me enormously improbable assumption that the making of butterflies depends as the choice of the female + that that choice is determined by [] differences of [] I think you are quite wrong as to the importance of [Weissmaus'] theory + the amount of evidence in its favour. I admit that it is not yet established, but I feel almost sure it will be. If the inheritance of all acquired characters + modifications were a law of nature I see no reason for the origin of sex. A short time since I had a delightful + very kind + flattering letter from your father with whom I spent some very enjoyable days, and I have seldom met two more charming people that Mr + Mrs Allen of [Alurington?]. We have removed here from [Godalung?] to get a milder climate + more sun. Should you ever be at Bournemouth (close by) come + see us. Yours very sincerely Alfred R. Wallace P.S. I have just read "Looking Backward" and it has convinced me of the practicability and desirability of Socialism. It is a work of true genius." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Parkstone, Dorest.
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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.
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Show moreLetter from George S. Ffinden concerning the musical services. Sent from Blessington House, Lee. [noted: Easter Tuesday]. Unsigned letter Transcription: "Blessington House Lee Easter Tuesday Dear Ffinden, I hope we may meet again in a day or two, but we may not get a quite chat and also I prefer to write about a notion which has occurred to me, before I can be supposed to have had any conversation with others about our service on Sunday. I came straight away after luncheon in time for [] at St Stephen's and had not a word with any of the []. My question is of the musical service. I had it before me many years ago, and deci- ded against attempting it when some of the most valued members were inclinced to introduce it. My reasons were 1st - that I did not think that the poor and ill instructed portion would enter with and be improved by a musical service, however good, but would rather be repelled, and that to them the greatest con0 sideration should be shown by the stronger brethren- 2nd - That I could not make it good enough to be attractive to cultivated minds. I like such a service with a good trained surpliced choir, but that I could not get at Downe I quite object to a mixed choir of females and my [] want of high musical power made me un- able to say the Priest's part with sufficient accuracy- These were my considerations. [], and I took some pain to ask about; wishing in a mat -ter where no principle was involved to do what was most equable. I have, no hesitation in saying that if I were myself a lay Churchman in Downe I should prefer that the prayers were said, rather than sung even at the best that practice can attain with the materials- If I may venture to [], it would be that you should this week take as many of your regular attendants [] and [] as you can with consultation, say that the sung service is an experiment, to begone on with or not as is considered best, and then act accordingly. It would be easy and graceful to do this [] but [] easy, if in a short time an objection on any grounds should come from below. I hope you will take this in as friendly a spirit as I mean it."
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Show moreLetter to Lemperly on "Leonainie", a poem believed to have been written by Edgar Allan Poe and later attributed to James Whitcomb Riley. Wallace believed it to be Poe's work, claiming Riley had altered the original slightly and then included it in his collected works as his own. Transcription: "Broadstone, Dorset. March 28th. 1904 Paul [Lemforly?] Esq. Dear Sir I must apologize for delaying so long in replying to [your] of Feb. 22nd., but I hae been so much engaged with various work - especially with the "Leonainie" affair - that I have hardly found time to do so. Your letter + enclosures arrived most opportunely, as you will see by my long letter in the April issue of the "Fortnightly Review", which I think shows that there is still some mystery about the affair which M. Riley has not cleared up. And as this communication of mine will probably bring me still further correspondence, raising perhaps new issues, I venture to keep the long "[]" with Riley in the "Indianapolis []", a little longer, in case I have to refer again to what is given as Riley's own words, + which were presumably passed by him as such. The difficulty to me is, that, two versions of this poem being in existence in America, the one issued by the alleged composer is not only inferior to the other, but contains such incongruities and verbal errors as to seem to show that he did not realise the meaning of the poem, or appreciate its musical rhythm, as a whole. Unless Riley wrote the poem under the spiritual influence of Poe - in an access of inspiration which has never recurred - (which I think quite possible) and then in his normal state altered + spoilt it, I cannot conceive his being the author of it, and treating it afterwards so lightly as he has done. I trust that my communication may lead to the discovery of where my brother copied his version from, + how there came to be such a better version in existence (unknown to Riley!) Mr. Charles F. Richardson, to whom I wrote for information as one of Poe's editors, says, that my version of it is "unquestionably preferable", but he things all the differences "might readily be made by a copyist"! I do not. He also thinks it is "not even one of the better parodies of Poe" - and here again I differ from him. It is stated here in the [spectator?] that the "Chicago Tribune" has recently said, that - W.C.Bryant was one who believed it to be by Poe. Have you got cuttings from the papers at the time of the hoax? Or a list of the known writers + critics who believed it to be Poe's, independently of the actual writing? The criticisms for + against, at the time, would be now most interesting. You will see I have tried to do full justice to Riley as a poet, but I do not think he could have written "[Leonainie?]." As you, no doubt have all his published works, can you send me a copy of any one short poem that has the same exquisite musical [] as "[Leonainie?]"? Believe me Yours very trule Alfred R Wallace ---- The very imaginative exaggeration of Leonainie are against it being a mere imitation and also its originality. Paul Lemperly Cleveland Ohio U.S.A." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Broadstone, Dorset. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher, answering questions about Charles Darwin's health. Transcription: "BY AIR MAIL Par Avion Air Letter Aerogramme Dr. Robert M. Stecher Metropolitan general Hospital 3395 Scranton Rd. Cleveland Ohio USA Sender's name and address: N. Barlow Boswells, Wendover An air letter should not contain any enclosure; if it does it will be surcharge or sent by ordinary mail. Boswells, Wendover March 18, 1960 Dear Dr. Stecher, I was delighted to hear from you after all these years, and to know of your further [filter] activities. This will only be an interim letter to answer the immediate questions which do not need further enquiry. I am so glad your interest seems as keen as ever in all these matters, and I wonder whether you have kept abreast of the spate of literature about C.D. on both sides of the Atlantic in these centenary years?= Eisely, Himmelfarb, Gavin de Beer + the rest. I will take the questions in order. Starting with 1); I shall have no objection to your quoting my letter to you of 1948, if, as I hope, you get your discourse of of March 3rd this year printed. I look forward to reading what you said in your discourse, + hope your "confessions" met with approval + were a great success. 2); Baldness. I remember no suggestion that my grandmother was bald-I do not think that her cap was to conceal this; but merely the fashion of the day. She did have a very high forehead, as is shown in all photographs of her. 3.) Health. I have just received a letter from Dr. Alvarez + his recent study of Darwin's health, + I expect you have also. I still think it rather inconclusive to harp on the inheritance of "bad genes" from both sides, though I agree that the illness was probably largely psycho-somatic. His childrens' peculiarities did not prevent them from living active full lives, except in the case of Aunt Etts, Mrs Litchfield. But in the question of C.D.'s health, a new suggestion has cropped up, which I like to think may be true, to remove C.D from these constant speculations of psychic disorder.)See Lancets, 1943, i. p.129; 1953, ii, p 1351; 1954, i, pp. 106, 414,467. Horizon LXXX, 1946, p.74. Biology of Human Affairs, Oct 1954, refers to these matters by Hubble, Good + myself.) The new suggestion comes from Dr. Adle, OBE, FRCP, FRS, Hebrew-university, Israel, who recently visited D. America, + was impressed by the similarity of the symptoms of the chronic Chagas disease intestans, with C.D's illnesses. The de- scription CD gives of allowing the bug of [Meadgar?] to bite him, was in March 1835, + therefore, unless he had been previously infected, this rules out the Chagas disease accounting for the first serious illness in S. America in 1834. You will find an account of this in Nature Autumn 1959, but I can't lay my hands on the exact reference-Unfortunately one date is given wrongly.* The further questions I am pursuing are A) The origin of the unidentified cartoong; + B) the whereabout of the certificate of CD's hon. membership to the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, 1870. I will write again if I can gain any information on these points. With all Good wishes yours sincerely Nora Barlow *This will be under Gavin de Beer's name." Air Letter, signed by sender. Boswells, Wendover.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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On Reserve Magazine