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Show moreDarwin writes to Innes to tell him about Down news and some parish news. Darwin adds that there has been recent discussion of his work in newspapers, which either abuse, praise or chaff Darwin. Oct 18, 1869 Beckenham My Dear Innes, I was writing to hear some news of you, + had thought of writing, but I got [to] [nearly] finish letters from parish people, that I [didn't] have the heart to write to my friends. There is hardly any news to tell you of you old [Parish]. My Parish has taken my [Eaglehearts'] [Home] + that I am very glad of, as he [would] [like] for all to look after the Patish + school, + I daresay he would be [active] + kind; but I rather doubt whether he is [] to [everyone] in [seven?]. We infact are very [] [] that he is going to be married; for he has given [] to any [] that a Lady with love teach with Sunday School. [Hopefully?] it is he who Love []. I hear of the chance of a personage being [brought] [in] [the?] Paris without the [] information, but I [] whether he will [concur?] I find so few which he seemed to think [], but I think that [] to []; [] that the Parish Letter. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreTranscription:"My dear Innes I was truly obliged for your kind & extremely pleasant letter. I was at first awfully annoyed: I really think being examined in court wd half-kill me.— I have had no communication with Mr Horsman; but my solicitor from what I cd. told him, thought the man wd. never be such a fool, as to bring the case into court. He advises me to take no trouble till he hears from Mr. Horsman's solicitors that he is earnest. I have already heard of 3 unpaid debts in this village. If things go on I will apply to Lubbock for chance of his having preserved the letters to which you refer. If I have to defend myself, I will push things to extreme. I heard that he bolted from Hotel at Torquay, after leaving Down, without paying his bill. I suspect that Mr Robinson is the informant, as he is now in this neighbourhood—curate at Brasted, & is a friend of Horsman's. If he is informant, it is too bad, for I remember explaining to Mr R, why people wd not pay subscriptions for School & to him, only to me, & why persons did not call on him, as his predecessor had been a mere swindler. Poor little Mr R. will look like a fool, if asked in court why he left Down. I believe & hope that you will prove right, & that the case will never come to trial. Certainly we have been unfortunate in Mr H. & Mr R. Mr Powell is, I think, a thoroughly good man & gentleman. Does good work of all kinds in the Parish, but preaches, I hear, very dull sermons. I shd. be a wonderful brute, if I had one single unpleasant recollection of an association with your name. We often differed, but you are one of those rare mortals, from whom one can differ & yet feel no shade of animosity, & that is a thing which I shd feel very proud of, if anyone cd. say of me. Farewell with very kind remembrances to Mrs Innes & your son, Yours very sincerely, Charles Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreDarwin writes to Innes about parish matters, and to say that his health has been poor. Darwin continues to say that Innes last letter was appreciated, as well as his expression of friendship towards Darwin. Transcription: "Jan 26, 1870 Beckenham My Dear Innes, I have had two [thus] bad days + am [shaken] + most by my briefs; [he] I can't delay thanking you heartily for all your truth. I will keep all your [letters?] for a few weeks + then return them. I have not heard from my [indicator], as he cannot have heard from me? [Horman] A L.C. with whom my confidence is [waning], tell him he is [convinced?] that He could have no case, as it makes all the difference, what is said and my [] in the same Parish in which [] [serves?], + I cannot [remember?] that I even [] to [many] names not of this Parish. I read your letter aloud to my [], + they all laughed heartily, but it also [] often + higher feelings, [by] all of us with respect to you. By the way [] exclaimed (+ I can assure you, he is the deepest critic I know in the world) "how unjust he is about his own [], why thy ideas he only [] I have heard in my life, to the whole of which I always listened." I believe her words "I could not help listening to." you are a [] [] man to tell your clerical friends that you [are] a friend to me. I read to the day an item of a Scotch [] who said "[] but [] pray for the poor [], -for he has no friends"- or can reach words The application is evident. Ever yours most sincerely C. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreDarwin writes to Innes concerning the color of rabbits. He also talks about schools and mutual friends. Darwin also mentions that he is correcting a proof of 'Insectivorous plants'. Transcription: "May 10 1875 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. Dear Innes Your case of the rabbit is a curious one; but there is something very off about the colours of young rabbits. There are [], which are invariably white [] [] + them became almost black; + [other] breeds which are at first black + then became almost white. Most of them were [] [] breeds, + I shd suspect that the parents of Mrs Innes-Brodie rather were of [] origin. Your account of your schools has interested Mr [] + all the more [] [] [], who as L advocates [] your school-boards, was [] her, + was talking much about the Scotch schools. He was remarking how odd it was that the voters who taxed themselves now spent vert much more in the schools than was [] done. He did not know anything about the relative advantages of Scotch + English primary schools.- I have no news whatever to tell you about the neighbourhood, as I see, if this be possible, even fewer people than [].- Mr Duck, you will have heard, is dead, + we have had to appoint a new [Finister] to the Friendly Club in his place, + the committee elected Mr Pearson.- By the way here is a wonderful piece of news, Mr Ffinden has forgiven Mr Pearson, + they are reconciled.- I have not been very well of late + have been working too hard in connecting the prep of another of my evolutionary books [] on Insectivorous Plants which contain hardly anything about evolution. We never cease to wish you had not left us. yours very sincerely Ch. Darwin My wife desires me [] that the plants of your [] are doing well, but not [] [] as Innes." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to apologize for his forgetfulness when Innes last visited. Transcription: "June 16/82 My dear Mr Innes I am very sorry that your visit to Down should have failed through my fault- you interpreted my note quite right and I am extremely sorry that I forgot to write. I have been overwhelmed with letters which have given me a great deal of work; this is no excuse but it is the reason for my stupid piece of forgtfulness. My mother has gone to the Wedgewoods at [] Hill near Dorking for a few days, and I go on there tomorrow I don't feel that I deserve to be forgiven, but I hope you will do so yours sincerely Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 131 Piccadilly, W., England.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to say that he will visit Innes, and that Emma Darwin would also like to see him. Francis also expresses pleasure in Mr. Innes' willingness to put down some recollections of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Down Beckenham May 29-'82 My dear Mr Innes Many thanks for your most kind note. I am rejoiced that you will put down a few recollections of my father I go tomorrow to Cambridge for a day or so, but the following week it would be a real pleasure to see you. I believe, (though it would be a painful meeting) that my mother would like to see you extremely-but I will write again about this Yours dear M Innes sincerely Francis Darwin Please forgive me for always making a mistake about your name. I think I am insane on the subject" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to thank him for his offer for the letters from Charles Darwin to Innes. Francis goes on to say that he has been busy with alterations and corrections on the "Life" of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Cambridge Dec 26 87 Dear Mr Brodie-Innes I have been slow in answering your kind letter. I have had a great press of work for a few days getting ready alterations and correction for a [] of the "Life". Many thanks for your kind offer of my father's letters to you. I should value all (or any that you liked to choose) very much, not only for their own sakes but as coming for you. With kind regards and best wishes for Christmas and the New year yours very truly F Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Cambridge, England.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to say that he has returned some of the letters from Charles Darwin to Mr. Innes. Transcription: "Dear Mr Innes I herewith return some letters from my father to you, with many apologies for not having sent them to you long ago yours very truly Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Wychfield, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, England.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes about Charles Darwin's death. Transcription: "April 1882 Dear Mr Innes You will have heard before this of my dear father's death. We all know the strong + affectionate regard you had for him + we feel that you should be written to among the first of those beyond our relatives. We have been uneasy about his heart for some time fast but we did not think there was immediate danger. On Tuesday night at 12 o'clock he was attacked with pain in the chest and fainted away. He soon recovered from this faint + the pain left him after some time but he remained terribly weak + faint and suffered from terribly distressing nausea, + occasional exhausting retching. he became gradually very cold + pulseless but remained conscious up to within a quarter of an hour of his death which took place at 4 in the afternoon of 19th He seemed to know he was dying for the first and was not afraid to die, + indeed in his suffering he wished to die. My mother bears it bravely + is very calm, I think the feeling that he does not survive her is a comfort, for she feels that he could not have born the loss as she can. I think he will be buried here, probably on Tuesday- I know it is not for me to speak of the friendship that existed so long between my father + you, but I may at least say how often I have heard him speak of you in warmhearted + kindly words Yours dear Mr Innes sincerely Francis Darwin I have only just seen your kind letter to my mother" 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 moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to thank him for the "recollections of his father, Charles Darwin" that Innes wrote for him. Francis tells Innes of several little things that he will alter in the "recollections". Transcription: "West Hackhurst Dorking June 23 1882 Dear Mr Innes I am quite delighted with your recollections of my father, it is just what I wanted only even better than I hoped for. I have just taken it to my mother who received it with much pleasure, and I am certain will like it as much as I do. I would not alter a word of the essential parts. Perhaps I might leave out what you say about seasickness as I think my father did not agree with the usually received opinion as to their undermining his health. Also in the sentience which you quote my father speaking of you, I might alter it to "Innes" as it was [] I think my father always spoke of you but it is really of no consequence. My mother begs me to ask you to give her best love to Mrs Brodie Innes; and to say with his kindest remembrances to you, that she hopes very much you will give her an opportunity of seeing you both when you next come south, as it would be a great pleasure to her. With my best thanks yours sincerely Francis Darwin The letters shall be carefully returned" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from West Hackhurst, Dorking, England.
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Show moreA letter to John Brodie Innes to request any recollections of Charles Darwin. Also asks Innes for any letters that Charles Darwin might have written to Innes. Francis wants to have copies made. Francis goes on to mention that he is collecting material to write a life of his father. Transcription: "Down Beckenham May 25-'82 My dear Mr Innes, It has occurred to me that you might be able to give me some valuable recollection of my father as you knew him here. I need not say how much we should value it if you would (at your leisure) do so. We should in the first [filter] place any sketch you might give us in the family "archives", and it is uncertain whether we should ever have to ask you leave to publish it . I hope therefore that you would not mind writing freely, and would not think anything too small to be told. I take this opportunity of saying that I should think it a great priviledge to be allowed to see any letters of my fathers you may have I am collecting material for a Life, though it is not yet certain who will undertake the work of writing + editing. I should like to make copies of his letters to you; there would be no need to go into the question of what to publish just yet. I should like you to think of them as going with anything you may let us have about my father unto the archives- yrs sincerely Francis Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreDarwin has harangued the Down Friendly Club. Does not think it will dissolve. Letter may have been written by Francis Darwin Transcription: "Feb 25 Dear Innes I have received the book. Many thanks for you + your son for the extracts from the Act; but I procured a copy from London. Last night I gave the club or long harange, which I think produced some effect; at least it acted like a bomb-shell for all the members seem to have quarrelles for the next two hours. I do not think there is the least chance of the dissolution of the Club. I had much satisfaction in reading aloud the [] clause Yrs. very sincerely Ch. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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Show moreDarwin's opinion of a specimen sent by Innes from an unknown tree, and the Ross-shire tale about it. Letter included newspaper clipping. Transcription: "Oct 5. 1877 Dear Innes, It is a curious story about the tree. I am sorry that I am not a botanist, but I think the bash is the wild or [] guelder-rose, which is said to be very rare in Scotland. Next summer you could know whether it is the guelder-rose, as the exterior flowers on the [] or head have consierably 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 spor. 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 racemosa, Red-berried Elder, introduced by Gerarde in the year 1596. No genus has more superstitions connect with it than has the Sambucus.-Eds.] Darwin about [] at Lochcarron Oct 5. 1877." Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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Show moreEnvelope dated April 24, 1882, addressed to the Rev. J. Brodie Innes, 2 Addison Grove, Bedford Park
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Show moreLetter to [John Brodie Innes] about drama by Thomas Becket. Black edged stationary, From Deanery, Westminster
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes, acknowledging receipt of Innes' drama "Thomas C Becket". Recommends other writings about Thomas Becket. Transcription: "Cedar Villa Kensington Jan 14. 1879 Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your Drama, [Thos: a'Becket?] I regret to say that the work I have to do leaves me little leisure for merely literary study. I think you have hardly seized the grandeur and dignity of the great prelates character, and I would suggest to you the careful study of Luisand's History of the period, and of Mrs. Hope's life of Sr. [Thos. a Becket.] Aubrey de Vere's Tragedy might also interest you. Believe me to remain yours trule J. [Napel?] J.W.Brodie Innes Esq. Milton Brodie Forres N.B." Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Holly House, Barking, E.
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes, acknowledging receipt of Innes' drama, "Thomas C. Becket." Recommends other writings about Thomas Becket.. Transcription: "Cedar Villa Kensington Jan 14. 1879 Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your Drama, Thos: a'Becket. I regret to say that the work I have to do leaves my little leaisure for merely literary study. I think you have hardly seized the grandeur and dignity of the great prelate's character, and I would suggest to you the careful study of Luisand's History of the period, and of Mrs. Hope's life of Sr. Thos. a Becket. Aubrey de Vere's Tragedy might also interest you. Believe me to remain yours truly T. Napel" Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Cedar Villa, Kensington.
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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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