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The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
Forwards newspaper reports by growers of Torbitt’s potatoes. Torbitt is in much distress and CD fears all his work will be thrown away unless he is aided.
Discusses financial and other arrangements for marriage of Horace Darwin and Ida Farrer. Mentions anticipated inheritance of children.
Has written to Torbitt.
Received enclosed report from Torbitt on potato experiments.
Torbitt too poor to go on with [potato] experiments. If anything is to be done it must be by Government.
[Letter written as a postscript to 11406.] CD has reread his letter of 7 Mar 1878 about the value of James Torbitt’s work on the potato disease and has nothing to withdraw. Emphasises Torbitt’s need for immediate financial help.
Describes subscription for Torbitt [to continue potato experiments]. Would dislike writing to any paper, but Hensleigh [Wedgwood] and Erasmus [Darwin] advise CD to write to the Times.
Thanks THF for his contribution; now has £170 to permit Torbitt to carry on his experiments. Describes the scale of the experiments and his belief in their value.
Sends some questions raised by THF’s notes on earthworms at Abinger; he plans to use them in his book.
Questions the exact location of rooms and trenches at Abinger excavation [for Earthworms].
Thanks THF for notes on Abinger excavation. Asks for more castings.
THF’s copybook has cleared up all points. The castings are invaluable. Encloses further queries [missing].
Is worried about brick particles in worm-castings. Asks THF for castings from a site where possible error would be avoided.
Has started experiment to see whether particles of stone become rounded in the gizzards of worms.
Statement of money transactions with James Torbitt and record of year’s success enclosed. Torbitt desires him to return £90. He is doubtful of being able to continue this spring.
Asks THF to obtain sample of chalk immediately below vegetable mould at Abinger.
More on W. Graham’s book, The creed of science. Chance and design. Happiness.
E. A. Darwin’s death [26 Aug 1881].
Requests that THF forward an enclosure if he thinks it proper. James Torbitt’s blunder in using the pollen of a diseased variety accounts for the bad varieties raised last year.
Thanks THF for correcting the error in Orchids.
Asks him to find out what insects visit the fly orchid and for what purpose.
"I have seen the action on Ophrys exactly as you describe and am thoroughly ashamed of my inaccuracy."