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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin
Show moreEnvelope dated April 24, 1882, addressed to the Rev. J. Brodie Innes, 2 Addison Grove, Bedford Park
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Show moreEnvelope dated January 2, 1879, addressed to Milton Brodie, Forres, Scotland Transcription: "J.L. Brodie Innes. Milton Brodie Torres [] Scotland Dear Stanley."
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Show moreFoolscap sheet, botanical notes, written by Charles Darwin Transcription: "The following members refer to Watsons "Aliens," or plants "how more or less established but either presumed or certainly known to have been originally introduced." [N.B The "Colonists" or weeds for cultivated ground are not here included.] Aliens. The denominator whos total number of "Aliens" in Gt. Britain. The numerator the number of cruciform Aliens. In Gt. Britain, excluding "Aliens" Cruciform 12/92 = 1/7.6 55/1238 = 1/22 Legurinosa 5/92 = 1/18.4 61/1238 = 1/20 Umbollifera 4/92 = 1/23 54/1238 = 1/22 Compurita 10/92 = 1/9.2 117/1238 = 1/10 Laninea 5/92 = 1/18.4 102/1238 = 1/12 [] 3/92 = 1/30 51/1238 = 1/24 Lamiacea 3/92 = 1/30 43/1239 = 1/28"
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 Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin
Show moreIllustration from Merchants' Gargling oil liniment. Text underneath advertisement refers to Darwin.
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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
Show moreWallace writes to Allen on the subject of color perception of animals, including man. Significance of colored flowers and fruits interested Wallace especially. He also discusses Gladstone's paper on Homer's color terms in the letter. 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 recent tdevelopments than flowers because they attract chiefly 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 [] I believe be incorrect, + should be stated I think more hypothetically that I have put 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, iron, brass etc. were not only not pure colours (generally) but subject to endless fluctuations. Your remarks on nuts are very good. I quite overlooked that case + shall refer to you when I [] my papers with there is 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. Written from Rosehill, Dorking.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreWallace writes to Allen about the color vision theory that was put forth in Allen's recent book ('The colour-sense: its origin and development; an essay in comparitive psychology', London 1879), which Wallace has just read. Transcription: "Waldron Sage, Duppas Hill, [Grogdan?] Feb. 17th. 1879 Dear Sir Very many thanks for your book on "The Colour []". I have just finished reading it through + I have seldom read a book with more pleasure. It is full of original and suggestive matter, and is admirable in its clearness and the thorough manner in which many aspects of the subjects are discussed. Of course I totally dissent from your adoption of "sexual selection" as a vera causa though of course you are quite justified in following Darwin rather than we as an authority. I think you [] many parts of your argument especially the connection of bright colours in animals with the colours of the food. I also think you lay far too great stress on our knowledge of the first appearance of certain groups of plants + insects, but I shall probably deal with these questions in a [] I may write of your book. I must say I do not see the least force in what you say on the probably identity of colour sense in ourselves + which. For it is clear that the optical [] of these two, have been developed separately, and if the causations were alike it would be a coincidence which we have no reason to expect. The fact that insects differentiate most of the contrasted colours, by us means [] a [] afford any probability, that their causations are any thing like ours, and I still maintain that the probability is they are unlike. With birds + ourselves, on the contrary, we may be almost sure the causations are similar, because our eyes + nervous systems are derived probably from a common ancestor who had both well fairly developed. A day or two ago I received from a gentleman reading in Germany a very clever article on the "Origins of the Colour Sense", in which he shows physiological grounds for the belief in the great inferiority of the colour sense in all mammals, + the inferiority even of ourshelves + birds. I am trying to get it publised w/ one of the Reviews. I am very sorry you did not put a good index to your book. It is most difficult to find any special point you want + causes endless trouble. I feel so strongly on this that I think the publication of indexless books should be felony without benefit of []! I will not wish your book success, for it is sure to be successful, as it well deserves to be. Believe me. yours very faithfully Alfred R. Wallace. Grant Allen Esq. P.S. In my original paper in [Macmillains Mags??] I spoke doubtfully about the [] work of colour sense because the subject came upon me suddenly just as I had finished my paper. I still think however that colour blindness is an indication of imperfection, + I hope evidence will soon be obtained as to its equal prevalence or absence in some civilized rave. I doubt its being a product of civilization, since civilized man makes more uses of colour than savage man. It is an interesting and important question. A.R.W." Letter, signed by sender. Written from Waldron Edge, Duppus Hill, Croydan.
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Show moreWallace encourages Allen to write a novel with an "enthusiastic socialist" as the hero, after reading Allen's "At market value". Wallace continues to say that he is simulated by reading Craig's "Ralahine", and adds that it is "perhaps the most interesting and successful experiment in cooperation and socialism ever tried". Transcription: "Parkstone, Dorset April 4th 1899 My dear Grant Allen When I read Mrs. H.Ward's "Marcella", a few years back, + I saw how thoroughly she had got up the arguments of the Socialists + how in all discussions she made Marcella have the best of it, I said to myself, how at last we shall have a Socialist in a Novel who does something worthy, + does not turn out a fool or a []! But alas! When the opportunity came, Marcella did no more than apply the usual plaisters + palli"atives" of the parliamentary philistine. Now, I have been reading your "At market Value" - which I enjoyed very much as a story, and also admired the character of the self-sacrificing hero - who I am glad to see you made to recognize that he had not acted heroically at all, but had wickedly thrown away a great opportunity of doing good by his self-sacrifice. Now why did you (who know so much better) follow the weak example of Mrs. H. Ward? Is it impossible that a sensible socialist should inherit wealth, and do something with it worthy of his creed? Surely it would not be difficult to make his struggles + trouble and efforts to do good both successful + interesting. I have been led to write this by reading Craig's "Ralahime" - perhaps the most interesting + successful experiment in Cooperation + Socialism ever tried, but narrated in such a confused and discursive way as to be puzzling to most readers. Now why do not you write a novel of an enthusiastic Socialist - the outcast of his family - who yet inherits a great lauded estate - + uses it to teach cooperation, land- nationalisation + socialism? He might try many methods. Lord Carrington's plan of giving small plats on farms to all who wants them. then gradually bringing them to cooperate, or real socialistic cooperation as at Ralahime, and also one or more of Mr. Howard's "Garden Cities" in which the Municipality gradually takes over all public work, + then absorbs all private manufacture, resulting in a Socialistic City! I admit it would be difficult to make this generally interesting, but I think you could do it. With best wishes yours very faithfully Alfred R. Wallace" Letter, signed by sender. Written from Parkstone, Dorset.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [A. D. Barlett], 4768](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/fb801b1628ea3fa2d4a2f84551ebf104.jpg?itok=swn0sokZ&pid=ksl:ditalldar00177&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "Dear Sir I wrote to you above a week ago to ask you to send me immediately the body of one of my Porto Santo Rabbits, together with some information. I have not received the rabbit nor any acknowledgement of my letter from you. I now request you will be so good as to write to me by return of post Dear Sir, yours faithfully, Ch. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to A. H. Garrod [Alfred Henry Garrod], 9449](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/0ec4a61dc000fea1e96022d6526f67c8.jpg?itok=u20BvtoQ&pid=ksl:ditalldar00190&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin writes to say that he regrets he cannot comply with request because of his work and poor health. Darwin is delighted to have seen correspondent’s “wonderful experiment” at Royal Society. Transcript: "May 9" c. 1874 Down, Beckenham, Kent. My dear Sir It would give me much pleasure to comply with your request, but I have so much to do + my health is so weak that I really cannot.- I make it a rule, which I rarely break, to stick to whatever I have in hand, + always resent whenever I break this rule. I was delighted at the chance of seeing your wonderful experiments at the Royal Sor. the other night.- Pray believe me yours very faithfully Ch. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to A. R. Wallace [Alfred Russel Wallace], 8677](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/6a093d8358ea95d83b50abb03fa8e199.jpg?itok=olIA6P53&pid=ksl:ditalldar00199&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin writes to say that he will be in London for a week and invites Wallace to lunch. Transcription: "Dec 14th c1874 Down, Beckenham, Kent. My dear Wallace We go today to "6. Queen Anne Bl Tw." for one week. If you chance to be in London during the week, + have time to spare, will you come + lunch with us, at the outlook. It wd be a great pleasure to see you. Ever yours sincerely Ch. Darwin P.S. I have had a deal of ill-health of late + had to put off starting for London." Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873) Transcription: " A.W. Bennett Esq 3. Park Village East Regent Park London N.W. If you have not already seen, D.H. Muller Die Befunckling die [] []" Leipzig 1873 is evident [], I think it shd be worth your []. [] May 5" 1873 C. Darwin" Postcard sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreTranscription: "My dear Prof. Sedgwick You must let me thank you in my wife’s & own name for your most kind note. My wife never dreamed that you would trouble yourself in answering her, otherwise she would have scrupled in calling your attention to the case. All that she expected was, that if your votes had been disengaged you would consider the case. I am very sorry to hear so poor an account of your health. I should much like to attend at Aberdeen, but I am utterly unfit for so great an exertion. I am told that I suffer from suppressed gout! Whatever it is, I am made wretched & almost useless. I am pleased that you remember my attending you in your excursion in 1831. To me, it was a memorable event in my life; I felt it a great honour, & it stimulated me to work, & made me appreciate the noble science of geology. Believe me that I thank you sincerely for your kind expressions towards me. With entire respect & honour, I remain, Yours sincerely obliged, Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Bromley, Kent, England. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin authorises publication of a Bohemian edition of Origin. Transcription: "March 13. 1878 Dear Sir, I have much pleasure in authorizing your publication of a Bohemian edition of my 'Origin of Species'. The Russion translation was published by Kowalewsky of St Petersburg. I believe he has resided in Germany for many years + I have no idea where he is at present. I hope you received the former letter written by my son in reply to your question as to the most recent edit of the Origin? dear Sir yours faithfully Charles Darwin P.S. In case the former letter miscarried I may mention that the 6th is the last edit of the Origin; the 2nd is the last of the Descent of Man To Dr A. Stecker Jungbunzhau" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Bibliogr. Inst. Leipzig], 10583](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/3620819c5aff45ceb336aad3030f31b4.jpg?itok=WPyw9TN-&pid=ksl:ditalldar00182&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin writes to say thank you for A. E. Brehm’s Thierleben [2d ed. (1876)]. Transcription: "Aug 28 1876 Gentlemen I am very much obliged for your kind present of the new edition of Brahm's Thier Leben, The illustrations are admirable; but it wd be superfluous in me to [] any opinion on their work, as I have plainly shown in my Descent of Man how much I have profited by it, + how -much I value it. With my best Thanks I remain Gentlemen your obliged servant Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [C. S. Bate], 1471](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/687641b2e3da7458b574c4be9e79ca48.jpg?itok=qLs5E7hM&pid=ksl:ditalldar00180&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir I see by the Annals. of Nat. History, you have changed your abode; I further see that the change has not at all induced a change in your Natural History pursuits. I write for the chance of your being able to assist me: I am investigating the slight powers of excavation which Verruca stümia /= Clisia striata) possesses; & I am am anxious to obtain specimens, either dry or wet, attached to rocks or other substances (excepting Laminariæ or seaweeds) non calcareous & some (almost equally valuable to me) on limestone rocks for comparison. The only very few specimens which I have hitherto seen on any rocks, came from Devonshire. Can you aid me? I believe you will kindly be willing to do so, if in your power. Pray believe me, My dear Sir Yours sincerely Charles Darwin Have you continued your interesting researches on the metamorphoses of the Cirripedia?" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to C. W. Crocker [Charles William Crocker], 3425](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/15756a59410eeeee2cc5c4020996698a.jpg?itok=KsZ2CxuU&pid=ksl:ditalldar00192&iic=true)
Show moreTranscription: "My dear Sir Last summer you gave me hopes that you would give me information with respect to your observations on Hollyhocks. Will you forgive me for reminding you, that I shd. be very glad to hear the result of any of your experiments. I very much wish I could persuade you to try some experiments on the relative fertility, or number of seed, of some crosses between the most distinct varieties. I have always wished & intended to try this myself, but I have so many “irons in the fire” that I know not when I shall have the time. Pray excuse me for venturing to trouble you & believe me Dear Sir Yours very faithfully Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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