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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show moreRecollections of Charles Darwin, written by John Brodie Innes. Transcription: "My acquaintance with Mr. Darwin commenced when he took up his residence at Downe. I was then Curator of the adjoining Parish of Faraborough. In 1846 I became Vicar of Downe, and we became friends and so continued to his death. His kindness to me and my family was unvarying and we repaid it with warm affection. The charm of his manners, the heartiness of his friendship, the bullioning of his conversation were such that as a relation of mine who lived near him for a short time observed, no one really knew him did not love him. In all Parish matters he was a most valuable supporter. In Schools, and Charities his liberal subscriptions and help were always ready and in the disputed questions which arose in that, as in all Parishes I was always sure of Mr Darwin's support as he held that where there was no real objection he ought to support the Clergyman as being most responsive. As I have always endeavour to be first of all a Churchman, these relations could not have been maintained if M' Darwin had been the [stalwart?] unbeliever and opponent of religion that was supported by many who did not know him, did not study his work, and supposed to be his own the deductions which others drew from them, and the sentiments others supposed him to hold. Before I knew Mr Darwin I had adopted, and publicly expressed the opinion that Natural history, geology and Science in general should be studied without reference to the Bible. That the Book of Nature and Religion proceeded from the same source and that properly understood they proceeded on parallel lines and would never [crop]. [] sermon. Mr. Darwin from his own side held the same views of course any conversations we had on [] religious matters are as sacredly private now as in his life, but the quaint conclusion of one may be recorded. We had been speaking of the apparent diversity between some supposed discoveries and the Book of Genesis. He said "you are a theologian, I am a Naturalist. I pursue my investigations without considering how they affect Scripture, I do not attack [] and I think [] can take care of himself. Later he wrote. I do not think I [] directly attacked religion or the Clergy and reformed to an abusive pamphlet by a clergyman which I should laugh at, and which might have given him cause for bitterness. So we never attacked each other. He wrote that you are one of the rare mortals with whom one can differ and just feel no shade of bitterness, and he would be proud if any one could say the same of him. The queietness with which he received attacks is shown by his saying I should laugh at the abusive pamphlet, and another instance is that when the Bishop of Oxford's review of Origin of Species appeared in the Quarterly he wrote a postscript in a letter to me "If you have not seen the Quarterly do get it, the Bp of Oxford has made such capital fun of me and my Grandfather. I was at [] with the Bp when I got the letter, and showed it to him, he said I am glad he takes it in this way he is such a capital fellow". Notice his most remarkable accuracy in all observations. The [] of years to ascertain the reversion of kinds of pigeons to the original type. Of bees which I [] him to observe and in which, and other matters he always sug- gested doubts when I thought facts were proved and required further observation. This remarkable thoughtfulness shown in all his conversation. On one occasion after a discussion on a Parish matter he came to me at night to say what he had said was really accurate but it had occurred to him that I might have drawn an erroneous inference and he would not sleep till he had explained it. I feel sure that if any day he had discovered some facts which would uproot his theories he would have placed them on record for publication at once. His bad health prevented his conversing for above half an hour at a time and he was obliged to break off and lie down because he felt sick. His quotes, to carry pebbels in hand and drop one at the end of each second of the plantation walk to be sure he had accomplished the distance at [] 6 months resolve to keep the box in the cellar and key in the []. Another 6 months, only to take a pinch where from home when he would to get one in my study. On my Cast [] B.I. + I have been fast friends for 30 years, he never [] afreed on any subject but one and then we looked hard at each other and thought one of us must be very ill. for substance sent it of [] 20 years ISS with seven letters, some of which are referred to above"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
The Robert M. Stecher Colle
Show morePhotograph of Charles Darwin with attached note. "Charles Darwin, Down, Kent, Feb. 28, 1877. With Mr. Darwin's compliments"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts