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Letter from Charles Darwin to [H.G. Bronn], 2940
No full textDear & much respected Sir I ought to apologise for troubling you; but I have at last carefully read your excellent criticisms on my Book. I agree with much of them, & wholly with your final sentence. The objections & difficulties, which may be urged against my view, are indeed heavy enough almost to break my back; but it is not yet broken! You put very well & very fairly that I can in no one instance explain the course of modification in any particular instance. I could make some sort of answer to your case of the two Rats; & might I not turn round, & ask him, who believes in the separate creation of each species, why one Rat has a longer tail or shorter ears than another? I presume that most people would say that these characters were of some use or stood in some connection with other parts; & if so, natural selection could act on them. But as you put the case, it tells well against me. You argue most justly against my question, whether the many species were created as eggs or as mature; I certainly had no right to ask that question. I fully agree that there might have been as well 100,000 creations as 8 or 10, or only one. But then on the view of 8 or 10 creations, (i.e. as many as there are distinct types of structure) we can on my view understand the homological & embryological resemblances of all the organisms of each type; & on this ground almost alone I disbelieve in the innumerable acts of creation. There are only two points on which, I think, you have misunderstood me: I refer only to one Glacial period as affecting the distribution of organic beings: I did not wish even to allude to the doubtful evidence of Glacial action in the Permian & Carboniferous periods. Secondly, I do not believe that the process of development has always been carried on at the same rate in all different parts of the world. Australia is opposed to such belief. The nearly contemporaneous equal development in past periods I attribute to the slow migration of the higher & more dominant forms over the whole world; & not to independent acts of development in different parts. Lastly, permit me to add that I cannot see the force of your objection, that nothing is effected until the origin of life is explained: surely it is worth while to attempt to follow out the action of Electricity, though we know not what electricity is. If you should at any time do me the favour of writing to me, I should be very much obliged if you would inform me, whether you have yourself examined Brehm’s sub-species of Birds; for I have looked through some of his writings, but have never met an Ornithologist who believed in his works. Are these sub-species really characteristic of certain different regions of Germany? Should you write, I should much like to hear how the German Edition sells. With my once more sincerely expressed gratitude & with entire respect I beg leave to remain Dear & Honoured Sir Yours sincerely & respectfully Charles Darwin Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to John Brodie Innes [3032]
No full textTranscription:"Dear Innes Many thanks for your kind & pleasant letter. I cannot give a very good account of poor Etty, who had a relapse a week ago, which threw her a good deal back & she has hardly yet got up to her standard a fortnight ago & that was not high. It is enough to make one despair. I am very sorry that you have such poor success in building: I am sure you must miss a home of your own with your various animals & pets. I had heard that Ainslie wants £4000, which it is impossible to believe he will ever get. The rogue must be cleaned out some day & have to sell at fair price. As for news we have none. I daresay you heard that Christopher Osborne is dead— the third death this year in the Friendly Club! You will have heard of the new Doctor, next door to where Mr Edwards is now staying.f6 I have not seen him yet. What you say about my Book pleases me & I do look at it as high compliment. I never expected to convert people under 20 year, though firmly convinced now that I am in the main right. For a week hardly passes without my hearing of some good judge coming some little way with me. And those who go an inch will surely have to go a yard with me. By far the greater part of the opposition is just the same as that made when the sun was first said to stand still & the world to go round. I am now passing through the press a new Edition. Did you see the Quarterly Review, the B. of Oxford made really splendid fun of me & my grandfather. On account of Etty we lead a more retired life than ever, though this seems hardly possible. But to night Emma & some relations in the House are going to a Ball at the Lubbocks. I see John occasionally but have not seen any other member of the Family for an age. I am heartily glad that you can give a pretty good account of your son & Mrs. Innes, to whom pray give our very kind remembrances & Believe me Dear Innes, Yours very truly, C. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to John Brodie Innes [2907]
No full textTranscription:"Dear Innes Many thanks for your kind enquiries about Etty. I am glad to be able to give a decidedly better account, though her progress is excessively slow. She now sits up several hours every day & has taken two or three very short drives. What is best of all is that the Doctors are now convinced there is no organic mischief. We have had an unhappy Summer; but I hope the worst is over. I am glad to have a pretty good account of your son; & I hope Mrs Innes is fairly well. My wife joins me in very kind remembrances to her. I hope you have not given up thinking about Down; though what house you could get, I cannot tell. I hear dreadful reports on the state of Mr. Ainslie's house. We were away from Down for an unusual time this summer, namely, six weeks; & have hardly seen a soul since our return; except J. Lubbock to talk Natural History with. Every thing goes on much as usual. {I some}times see Mr Phillips, [missing portion] of [missing portion] {re}membering my hobby of striped asses. I must say that I am a complete skeptic about the powers of rooks, curious as your stories are. What stories one hears about the spirit-rapping now-a-days— the old saying to believe nothing one hears & only half of what one sees is a golden rule. Farewell, with every good wish, [missing portion]" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to Adam Sedgwick, 2482
No full textTranscription: "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 Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to Charles Kingsley, 2561
No full textTranscription: "Dear Sir I thank you sincerely for allowing me to insert your admirable sentence. I am much gratified by your kindness. At any future time I shall be delighted to answer any objections as far as lies in my power, or to receive any suggestions. I shall stay here at furthest only seven or eight days, & it is not improbable that I may be called home sooner, so that, though I should have had much pleasure in making Mr Foster’s acquaintance, it would not be at all worth his while coming here. Indeed during great part of day I am wandering on the hills, & trying to inhale health. Pray give my thanks to Mr Parker & say that I will remember his obliging offer should circumstances require me to make any remarks, which I hope may not be the case. With my renewed thanks, pray believe me, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely & obliged Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Ilkley Wells House, Otley, Yorkshire.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to John Brodie Innes [2232]
No full textTranscription:"Dear Innes, We were much concerned at hearing yesterday evening of the death of your mother. I never heard of a more merciful release from suffering. In your sorrow you must have the satisfaction of knowing how excellent & attentive a son you have been; & one cannot have a higher satisfaction. I hope Mrs Innes has not suffered from the suddenness of the shock. With our united sympathy, pray believe me, Dear Innes, Yours very sincerely, Ch. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to R. I. Murchison [Roderick Impey Murchison], 13831
No full textTranscription: "Dear Sir Roderick Murchison I am very much obliged to you for having thought of me in this out of the way place, & for your kind invitation for the 20th at the Trafalgar Hotel: I should so much enjoy coming, that I will accept it, though I am bound to say that my health is so uncertain, that I may fail, but certainly I will come if I possibly can. With many thanks (& for your Card for the 9th & 23d) Pray believe me, Yours sincerely & obliged, Charles Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Farnborough, Kent, EnglandThe Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to [C. S. Bate], 1471
No full textTranscription: "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, EnglandThe Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to W. J. Hooker [William Jackson Hooker], 1390
No full textTranscription: "My dear Sir William You will no doubt like to see the enclosed letter of your son, which, whenever perfectly convenient you can return to me. I am heartily glad to think that he will pretty soon now be at home again. What work he will have on his hands; it is enough to make one fear to think of it. Everyone will, I suppose, be quite astonished to hear of the Oaks & Birches of the Tropics; it strikes me as almost disheartening; almost as bad as if some geologist were to find Tertiary shells in a Silurian formation. Falconer’s conduct is enough to make one swear at him. Pray believe me with my respects & kind remembrances to Lady Hooker: Your’s very sincerely C. Darwin" Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent, EnglandThe Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscript
Letter from Charles Darwin to George Ransome, 1335
No full textTranscription: "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 Manuscript