Search results
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Mr Kingsley I thank you sincerely for your letter. I have been glad to hear about the Duke of Argyle, for ever since the Glasgow Brit. Assoc. when he was President, I have been his ardent admirer. What a fine thing it is to be a Duke: nobody but a Duke, the first time he geologised would have found a new formation; & the first time he botanised a new lichen to Britain. With respect to the pigeons, your remarks show me clearly (without seeing specimens, though I thank you for the kind offer) that the birds shot were the Stock Dove or C. Oenas, long confounded with the Cushat & Rock-pigeon. It is in some respects intermediate in appearance & habits; as it breeds in holes in trees & in rabbit-warrens. It is so far intermediate that it quite justifies what you say on all the forms being descendants of one. That is a grand & almost awful question on the genealogy of man to which you allude. It is not so awful & difficult to me, as it seems to be most, partly from familiarity & partly, I think, from having seen a good many Barbarians. I declare the thought, when I first saw in T. del Fuego a naked painted, shivering hideous savage, that my ancestors must have been somewhat similar beings, was at that time as revolting to me, nay more revolting than my present belief that an incomparably more remote ancestor was a hairy beast. Monkeys have downright good hearts, at least sometimes, as I could show, if I had space. I have long attended to this subject, & have materials for a curious essay on Human expression, & a little on the relation in mind of man to the lower animals. How I shd. be abused if I were to publish such an essay! I hope & rather expect that Sir C. Lyell will enter in his new Book on the relations of men & other animals; but I do not know what his recent intentions are. It is a very curious subject, that of the old myths; but you naturally with your classical & old-world knowledge lay more stress on such beliefs, than I do with all my profound ignorance. Very odd those accounts in India of the little hairy men! It is very true what you say about the higher races of men, when high enough, replacing & clearing off the lower races. In 500 years how the Anglo-saxon race will have spread & exterminated whole nations; & in consequence how much the Human race, viewed as a unit, will have risen in rank. Man is clearly an old-world, not an American, species; & if ever intermediate forms between him & unknown Quadrumana are found, I should expect they would be found in Tropical countries, probably islands. But what a chance if ever they are discovered: look at the French beds with the celts, & no fragment of a human bone. It is indeed, as you say absurd to expect a history of the early stages of man in prehistoric times. I hope that I have not wearied you with my scribbling & with many thanks for your letter, I remain with much respect, Yours sincerely, Charles Darwin As you seem to care for all departments of n. History, I send a pamphlet with a rather curious physiological case." Letter sent from Down, Bromley, Kent, England. Page missing.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
Show moreDarwin writes to that MacKintosh may show his letter [to the Royal Society]. He is also pleased that his old paper should have stimulated DM to such excellent work. Transcription: "Oct 16. 79 Dear Sir, You are quite welcome to show my letter to the secretaries, as it gives my deliberate conviction; but I beg you to say that it was written without the least notion that any one would see it except yourself, so probably it is badly expressed. It has pleased me much that my old paper should have stimulated you to such excellent work. If in any future papers you use the expression of overshot loads, I think you ought to explain your meaning rather more fully, for I failed to feel sure about it. I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Farnborough, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
Show moreTranscription: "Dear Oliver Would you have the great kindness to name for me the enclosed plant- if you cannot make out the species, the genus wd. suffice. A friend sent a Woodcocks foot with 9 gr. of earth adhering to it, & this plant came up. It has been grown in pot in greenhouse & the flowers have never opened & stamens appear rudimentary- whether this is natural, or due to the plant being properly a marsh plant, or to some other cause, I know not. Excuse me bothering you & believe me, Yours very sincerely, Ch. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Bromley, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
Show moreDarwin thanks Nicholson for his book [Indian snakes, 2d ed. (1874)]. Darwin is pleased that it calls attention to gradation in the character of snake poison. Transcription: "Aug. 26 1874 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Dear Sir On my return home after a month's holidays I found your work on [] [], which you have been so very kind as to send me. I am most pleased to observe that you have pointedly called attention to gradation of character with respect to the [] of []. This subject has long interested me, + I have received an account from S. Africa, which makes me believe that the saliva of some of the non-venomous species there causes much imitation, but the account was not definite enough for publication. I have no doubt that your work will be highly serviceable in many ways, + with my renewed thanks remain Dear Sir yours faithfully Ch. Darwin E. Nicholson Army Medical Department Bangalore India" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![Letter from Charles Darwin to Frances Emma Elizabeth Wedgwood [1547]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/7762020aceea3e52b72407e3d6d46c01.jpg?itok=6tFwu3wE&pid=ksl:ditalldar00032&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Fanny We are infinitely obliged to you, after all your fatigue, writing to us about poor dear old Erasmus' illness. We had heard nothing of it. As he seemed somewhat better when you wrote, I will not doubt that the worst is over, for I think a Fever hardly ever lulls when it once begins. But it must pull him down terribly, weak as he always is. I shd. very much like to hear pretty soon ever so briefly. I daresay Caroline or Jos. would find time to write a line. You must all have been very much frightened. Good bye my dear Fanny, how many you have aided in illness. I shall never forget the comfort you were once to me, My dear Fanny. 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
Show less
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
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
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
Show less
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
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
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.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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 [].]"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
![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
Show less
![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."
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
Show moreAlarm over Wallace’s memorial. Darwin asks Henry Walter Bates if he has received it and forwarded it to Hooker. Wanted to get it to Gladstone before Parliament met. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan. 3rd 1887 (After our 2nd Post) Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates I am rather alarmed about the memorial for Wallace. Mr [] wrote that he had forwarded it to you. Have you received it + on what day did you forward it to Sir J. []? Pray forgive me troubling you. I am much disappointed in not having been able to just [] M. into [] [] hands some days before [] of Parliament. yours vy sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less
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
Show less
Show moreDarwin asks Henry Walter Bates to sign and return F.R.S. certificate for Raphael Meldola; if he objects to signing, Darwin will not mention the fact. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Feb. 17" 1882 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear bates Will you be so good as to sign the enclosed certificate for Mr. [], who does not expect to be elected until 2 or 3 years have elapsed? Please return in enclosed envelope. But if for any reason you object, I will mention this past to no one. I shall ask Sir J. [] if he [] sign _ then send it in to []. My dear Bates, yours very sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show less