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- Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882 (x)
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Show moreDarwin comments on Galton’s description of a séance at the house of William Crookes and will use Galton’s words about [H. M. Butler's] hereditary habit [in Expression, p. 33 n. 8]. Transcription: "March 29" c1874 Down, Beckenham, Kent. My dear Galton I think that I have never been more interested in my life than by your letter, It takes one's breath away, + I am much more inclined to believe in some wonderful force from your account than if I had been myself a witness. The case of the needle in the vacuum (which I will not mention) is incomparably in my opinion the most important. I hope that Mr. [] will stick to this + work it out, + that you may continue to be a witness with, as you sat, eyes + eyes vy open. It is rather dreadful to think what we may have to believe. Very many thanks about the case of inheritance. I cannot do better than give your own words. If I do not hear to the [] I with insert "female" in passage about the 3? generation I thank you most heartily for your letter yours vy sincerely Ch. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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Show moreDarwin encourages Galton to carry out investigation [of spiritualism]. However, his own health is too uncertain to accept Daniel Dunglas Home’s offer. Discusses possibility of reproducing Crookes’s apparatus for sale. Transcription: "Ap. 21st c1870 Down, Beckenham, Kent. My dear Galton I have considered your proposition well. It seems to me highly desirable that the subject ch be [], + thiat it is a sort of duty in [] one who can do so to aid. I have consulted my wife, + she thinks even more strongly than I do, that it wd be impossible for me. It is my case that I can canvass with anyone + be in any way excited for an hour: my [] then [] to [] + all power of attention then is lost. I am, also, so often too unwell to go out, that I shd frequently break any appointment. Moreover, odd as it may seem, as extreme desire to be well on any particular day, or rather evening, is vy apt to make me bad. I regret it much, but I dare not accept Mr. [] remarkably liberal offer. Do not give up yourself. Can you not get some man known for physical science to join you? If Mr. [] succeeds in making his [], + can get some [] maker to sell it, then [] could be one + try for himself- This would settle the question at once, whether any power does [] out of the human body of certain [] individuals. This wd undoubtedly be a vy grand discovery. With very sincere thanks for your letter yours vy truly Ch. Darwin I regret my decision deeple, but I am sure it is unavoidable. Only those who live with me can know how strange + [] I am in health. I never pass 24 hours, without fainting several times, where I can do nothing whatever. Not even read a line." Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin writes that the cat exhibition might provide information on unusual breeds of cats and their inheritance. He also expresses interest in deafness of white, blue-eyed cats. Transcription: "July 17" Down, Beckenham, Kent. My dear Sir With every wish to offer any assistance, I really know but what to suggest. I believe that you do encourage the exhibition of any breed from outlandish countries. I have heard of a curious breed [] short time from some part of Africa + odd-coloured breeds in the [] Island of the Pacific. A considerable number of persons have felt a strong interest in the odd case of [], to which I first called public attention, fis the entirely white cat with [] eyes are draft. if one eye always is blue the ear on the same side is deaf. Mr. [] has lately published a statement that this holds good only with male cats. Possibly you might make a [] class for "white cats of any breed, with both eyes or one alone blue" offer a [] for the best; though Heaven knkow which shd be called best. You might request a statement whether it is known that they are deaf; + the sexes [] by [] when the cats are sent. This would really be a curious [] + wd without some considerable number of people. I wish I could anything else + []. yours vy faithfully Ch. Darwin The hereditary character of the 6-toed cats would be worth []." Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to George Charles Wallich [8223]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/c073ec4ff359535f10c7aec5d6b607a2.jpg?itok=G9cA9a8P&pid=ksl:ditalldar00030&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin asks Wallich for permission to publish a photograph (also enclosed in letter). The photograph is of a small girl wearing a hat and who is smiling. Transcription: "9. Devonshire Street [Parland] Place Feb [28]th 1872? My dear Sir you gave my the [most??] charming photograph. Now I am going to [buy] a [good] farm, which it is quite likely you may [] wish to [grant] In my little book an [Exposition?] I wish to give a photo [by] to [] map of 2 or 3 smiling faces. For this map the negative is [unrequired?]. Now if you [mind] to leaving me the negative, with the permission to [] that the photograph was [done] by you. You must, of course, [] the important [] in helping me. But if you grany this farm, could you send me the negative to above adding by [] Co [soon?], as I want [] to get the [] [plates??] finished soon. Was the smile intentionally []? or taken when [the] little bit who knew what you were doing? My dear Sir Yours sincerely Ch. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Written from Devonshire. Photograph included.
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Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir I am much obliged for your very kind note & invitation. To meet so many distinguished men is a very great temptation, but I am sorry to say that the state of my health, which requires great regularity in living, will prevent my having the pleasure of accepting your kindness. With thanks, Pray believe me, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, C. Darwin I have written to Mr Maguire G. Ransome Esq" Letter sent from Down, Farnborough, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to George Robert Waterhouse [416]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/f1697020a99353d276d6d37b220c0598.jpg?itok=bGmUK0yK&pid=ksl:ditalldar00031&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Waterhouse I am so determined to make you a geologist, that I have taken the liberty of sending you a copy of Lyell, by which means I obtain full right to mal-treat & abuse you till you have read it. Ever yours, C. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender.
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 11891](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/372dadb840abb68d3f6ff3e0ea4e8119.jpg?itok=8b8grQ9-&pid=ksl:ditalldar00165&iic=true)
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 [].]"
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 13055](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/ca9028948d5c75f872d58908a029b040.jpg?itok=r0k5_s7I&pid=ksl:ditalldar00169&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin thanks [Grant] for Evolutionist at large [1881]. He envies Grant Allen's power of writing, though he find some statements are too bold, but several of the views are new to Darwin and seem “extremely probable”. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Fed 17th 1887 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Sir I have this minute read the last word of the "Evolutionist at Large"; + I hope that you will not think me troublesome if I tell you how much the whole has pleased me. Who can tell how many young persons your chapters may bring up to be good working evolutionists! I quite envy your [] power of writing, your words flow so easily, clearly + pleasantly. Some of your statements seemed to me [] too bold; but I do not know that this much signifies in a work of this kind + may perhaps be an advantage. Several of your views are quite new to me + seem extremely []. But I had not intended to scribble so much. One chief object in my writing has been to ask you, [] are your are so send me whenever you can spare time a vy few times, saying how your health is; for I was grieved to hear but wanted a vy poor account of your health. My dear sir yours sincerely Ch.Darwin P.S. I have forgotten your address + have to send this to Publisher"
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 13594](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/c52cffcfe787bf7d709e119437e2830d.jpg?itok=wrWnLzeo&pid=ksl:ditalldar00166&iic=true)
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"
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 11848](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/1ab1261efc696d51cde1011e0e1771fa.jpg?itok=0InCjVHz&pid=ksl:ditalldar00064&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin states that it would be a real pleasure to propose Bates for [F.] Royal Society. Darwin also asks that Bates send him the necessary information for the certificate as well as a list of men he would like to sign it. Darwin should not be disappointed if Bates is not elected first time. Transcription: "Jan 26' 79 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates It will give me real pleasure to purpose you for this object. You will see that you surely must not [] the [],- not that there can be the least impropriety in you asking any of your friends.- Will you therefore full up all the necessary particulars, giving a [] full hit of your publication + return the paper to me. At the same time give me a hit with addresses of [] men as you wd like to sign, + I will then write a forward certificate to each.- I do not know who [] to Council + it is a confounded bore that some of the best men, to whom I shd naturally apply, such is [] + [] are excluded. This makes it the more necessary that I shd have some sort of hit from you. Ever yours sincerely Ch. Darwin you must not be [] if you are not elected the first time, for hardly anybody is thus elected." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates], 12951](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/c97d8c189de1b73f09a45deb8011f4b3.jpg?itok=bNINo_n1&pid=ksl:ditalldar00170&iic=true)
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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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 12952](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/97c1208b151dc756ff17a69cfbd984c2.jpg?itok=GLUfIpy-&pid=ksl:ditalldar00067&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "Huxley thinks that the presidents had better sign in a body, so that the memorial should be sent to you afterward for your signature with an envelope addressed to Sir J. Hooker if you will forward it without delay- C.D."
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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"
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Show moreGladstone has recommended yearly pension of £200 for Wallace. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan 7" 1881 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates I write one line, as I am sure that this news will please you, [] that I have just received a note from [] himself, [] that he "will recommend Mr. Wallace for a [] of 200 pounds a year." The memorial was send in very on to 5" + answer received today! Wonderfully kind of [filter]. I am of writing notes, though beyond measure pleased. Ever yours Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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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"
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 2993](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/f7021a821c952d97eb73a0a36781c059.jpg?itok=hIZr-U8A&pid=ksl:ditalldar00037&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin writes to Bates to thank him for an interesting letter. Darwin notes that his belief is that a good observer is also a good theorist. He is also enthused in H. W. Bates writing on 'equatorial refrigeration'. Transcription: "My dear Sir, I thank you sincerely for writing to me and for your very interesting letter. Your name has for very long been familiar to me, and I have heard of your zealous exertions in the cause of Natural History. But I did not know that you had worked with high philosophical questions before your mind. I have an old belief that a good observer really means a good theorist and I fully expect to find your observations most valuable. I am very sorry to hear that your health is shattered; but I trust under a healthy climate it may be restored. I can sympathise with you fully on this score, for I have had bad health for many years and fear I shall ever remain a confirmed invalid. I am delighted to hear that you, with all your large practical knowledge of Nat. History, anticipated me in many respects and concur with me. As you say I have been thoroughily well attacked and reviled, (especially by entomologists, [J. O.] Westwood, [T. V.] Wollaston, and [Andrew] Murray have all reviewed and sneered at me to their hearts' content) but I care nothing about their attacks; several really good judges go a long way with me, and I observe that all those who go some little way tend to go somewhat further. What a fine philosophical mind your friend, Mr Wallace has, and he has acted in relation to me, like a true man with a noble spirit. I see by your letter that you have grappled with several of the most difficult problems, as it seems to me, in natural History— such as the distinctions between the different kinds of varieties, representative species Perhaps I shall find some facts in your paper on intermediate varieties in intermediate regions, on which subject I have found remarkably little information. I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear that you have attended to the curious point of Equatorial refrigeration. I quite agree that it must have been small; yet the more I go into that question the more convinced I feel that there was during the Glacial period some migration from N. to S. The sketch in the Origin gives a very meagre account of my fuller M.S. Essay on this subject. I shall be particularly obliged for a copy of your paper when published; and if any suggestions occur to me (not that you require any) or questions I will write and ask. Pray believe me, with respect and good wishes, My dear Sir, Yours sincerely, C. Darwin I have at once to prepare a new Edit of the Origin, and I will do myself the pleasure of sending you a copy; but it will be only very slightly altered. Cases of neuter ants, divided into castes, with intermediate gradations. (which I imagine are rare) interest me much. V. Origin on the Driver Ants p.—241.— (please look at the passage)" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3100](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/b6804ef140cc11300a7186792da88cea.jpg?itok=j4xV81kO&pid=ksl:ditalldar00035&iic=true)
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.
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3109](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/3f8b0628be14bca55e2f5861867c2d5f.jpg?itok=rFU_MTyk&pid=ksl:ditalldar00052&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir I have been unwell, so have delayed thanking you for your admirable letter. I hope you will not think me presumptuous in saying how much I have been struck with your varied knowledge, & with the decisive manner in which you bring it to bear on each point,- a rare & most high quality, as far as my experience goes. I earnestly hope you will find time to publish largely: before the Linn. Soc. you might bring boldly out your views on Species. Have you ever thought of publishing your travels & working in them the less abstruse parts of your Nat. History? I believe it would sell, & be a very valuable contribution to Nat. History. You must, also, have seen a good deal of the natives. I know well it would be quite unreasonable to ask for any further information from you; but I will just mention that I am now & shall be for a long time writing on Domestic variation of all animals. Any facts would be useful; especially any showing that savages take any care in breeding their animals; or in rejecting the bad & preserving the good- or any fancies which they may have that one coloured or marked dog &c is better than another. I have already collected much on this head, but am greedy for facts. You will at once see their bearing on Variation under Domestication. Your observations on Carabus, with respect to Glacial period, seem very important. I daresay you know that some geologists have speculated on a Permian & even on a Challk Glacial period. When considering plants of Australia, a suspicion crossed me that there must have been an ancient migration from N. temperate to S. temperate regions. I feel sure that if you saw lists of plants in T. del Fuego—on isolated mountains of India, Java, Borneo, Abyssinia, S.E. Australia, Fernando Po, you would see that there must have been a very recent migration. This view is largely supported by plain geological facts. I have a rather long M.S. discussion, well copied out, which Hooker has read, & which if you thought it worth your while, you might with welcome read; but I doubt whether it would be worth your while. Hereafter when I come to Geograph. Distrib. (& God knows when that will be) I will deeply consider all your most valuable remarks. Thank you for facts on intermediate vars. in intermediate regions; I can see how complex the case is; & I hope before I come to that subject you will have largely published. But the case you give is excellent. Hardly anything in your letter has pleased me more than about sexual selection. In my large M.S (& indeed in Origin with respect to tuft of hairs—on breast of Cock-Turkey) I have guarded myself against going too far; but I did not at all know that male & female butterflies haunted rather different sites. If I had to cut up myself in a Review, I would have worked & quizzed Sexual selection; therefore, though I am fully convinced that it is largely true, you may imagine how pleased I am at what you say on your belief. This part of your letter to me is a quintessence of richness. The fact about Butterflies attracted by coloured sepals is another good fact, worth its weight in Gold. It would have delighted the heart of old Christian C. Sprengel, now many years in his grave. I am glad to hear that you have specially attended to "mimetic" analogies- a most curious subject. I hope you will publish on it. I have for a long time wished to know whether what Dr. Collingwood asserts, is true, that the most striking cases generally occur between insects inhabiting the same country. Believe me, Yours most truly obliged, Ch. 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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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3266](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/d52492cc1857eaae847854cf9b44ad70.jpg?itok=WLY9HXyr&pid=ksl:ditalldar00039&iic=true)
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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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates] 3338](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/8ee7dbb6b6422a12cfbbf5ea9c99e4df.jpg?itok=wVPquvUh&pid=ksl:ditalldar00049&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir I thank you for your extremely interesting letter, & valuable references, though God knows when I shall come again to this part of my subject. One cannot of course judge of style when one merely hears a paper, but yours seemed to me very clear & good. Believe me that I estimate its value most highly. Under a general point of view, I am quite convinced (Hooker & Huxley took same view some months ago) that a philosophic view of nature can solely be driven into naturalists by treating special subjects as you have here done. Under a special point of view I think you have solved one of the most perplexing problems which could be given to solve. I am glad to hear from Hooker that Linn. Soc. will give Plates, if you can get drawings; but I suppose they might be drawn on to stone or copper. Pray excuse me for again saying if ever you want £10 or £20, I shall be pleased to send it, for any aid in Natural History. Do not complain of want of advice during your Travels; I daresay part of your great originality of views may be due to the necessity of self exertion of thought. I can understand that your reception at B. Museum would damp you; they are a very good set of men, but not the sort to appreciate your work. In fact I have long thought that too much systematic work of description somehow blunts the faculties. The general public appreciates a good dose of reasoning, or generalisation with new & curious remarks on habits, final causes &c &c, far more than do the regular naturalists. I am extremely glad to hear that you have begun your Travels. (I thought your Glacial Letter admirably written); I am very busy, but I shall be truly glad to render any aid which I can by reading your 1st Chapter or two. I do not think I shall be able to correct style, for this reason, that after repeated trials I find I cannot correct my own style till I see the M.S. in type. Some are born with a power of good writing, like Wallace; others like myself & Lyell have to labour very hard & slowly at every sentence. I find it very good plan, when I cannot get a difficult discussion to please me, to fancy that some one comes into the room, & asks me what I am doing; & then try at once & explain to the imaginary person what it is all about. I have done this for one paragraph to myself several times; & sometimes to Mrs. Darwin, till I see how the subject ought to go. It is, I think, good to read one's M.S. aloud. But style to me is a great difficulty; yet some good judges think I have succeeded, & I say this to encourage you. What I think I can do will be to tell you whether parts had better be shortened. It is good I think to dash "in medias res", & work in later any descriptions of country or any historical details which may be necessary. Murray likes lots of woodcuts- give some by all means of Ants. The public appreciate Monkeys, our poor cousins. What sexual differences are there in monkeys? Have you kept them tame? if so about their expression. I fear that you will hardly read my vile handwriting, but I cannot without killing trouble, write better. You shall have my candid opinion on your M.S., but remember it is hard to judge from M.S.- one reads slowly & heavy parts seem much heavier. A first rate judge thought my Journal very poor; now that it is in print, I happen to know, he likes it. I am sure you will understand why I am so egotistical. I was a little disappointed in Wallace's Book on the Amazon; hardly facts enough. On other hand in Gosse's books there is not reasoning enough to my taste. Heaven knows whether you will care to read all this scribbling M.S. can be sent by Book Post, if marked to be printed. Had you not better register it? Many thanks for Wallace's letter; he rates me much too highly & himself much too lowly. That was an admirable paper of his in Linn. Journal. But what strikes me most about Mr Wallace is the absence of jealousy towards me: he must have a really good honest & noble disposition. A far higher merit than mere intellect. With cordial good wishes & thanks, Yours sincerely, C. Darwin I am glad you had pleasant day with Hooker: he is an admirably good man in every sense. Endorsement: Endorsement: 1861" 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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