Comments on StGJM’s book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has no personal objection to a word of it, but regrets their views differ so much.
Showing 61–80 of 812 items
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.
Comments on StGJM’s book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has no personal objection to a word of it, but regrets their views differ so much.
Acknowledges StGJM’s kind letter. [See 7451.]
Offers to alter the "dogmatic assertion" referred to on page 102 [of StGJM’s On the genesis of species] but in 5th ed. of Origin and in Variation CD finds only qualified expressions.
Is sorry CD found Genesis of species unfairly critical. Assures CD of his just intentions and offers to alter certain words and phrases in a new edition. Emphasises his high regard for CD but fears his views are leading to religious decay.
CD’s health has been poor.
Appreciates JBI’s letter and his expression of friendship.
In the opinion of a Q.C., Horsman has no case.
Reports his observations on the concurrence of orbicular muscle spasms, engorgement of eyes with blood, and formation of tears.
A bibliographical query arising in translation of Descent. Two misprints noted.
Is glad CD does not believe he is biased by an odium theologicum. Comments on the first volume of Descent. Is convinced of the truth of evolution, but believes natural selection plays only a secondary role and that man is fundamentally different from the rest of creation.
Seeks information and observations on the contraction of the orbicular muscles as a consequence of skin irritation.
CD apologises for having thought that StGJM’s religious feelings had led him to feel personal animosity towards him. [See 7454.]
He remembers having thought and written that belief in evolution is infinitely more important for science than belief in Natural Selection. For his own part he would have felt little interest in evolution apart from the explanation "in a general manner" of how each organism is so adapted to its conditions.
Response to [vol. 1 of] CD’s Descent.
Not yet convinced on sexual selection and protection, though their differences are not so great as CD thinks.
On man, he does not think CD has accounted for every step of his development by "ascertained laws".
Obliged for specimens [of Paritium?].
Discusses difference between sport and parent tree.
Accepts the proposed corrections of his spelling except for "chloèn". [WSD was preparing the index for Descent, vol. 2.]
Thanks RM for information on case of hexadactyly [see RM’s paper, "Hexadactylism", Land and Water, 11 March 1871, p. 179.
He has found passage on false belief, Variation 2: 414, and does not think the whole with context is dogmatic. [Encloses copy of the passage.]
Has received all the proof-sheets of first volume and of second volume to p. 168 [Descent].
Leaves for Paris tomorrow.
Responds to ARW’s comments on CD’s argument about protection in Descent.
Comments on St G. Mivart’s criticism [Genesis of species (1871)]. "The pendulum will now swing against us."
Thanks JVC for his corrections. Will send other errata. Hopes to send remainder of vol. 2 [of Descent] in a fortnight.
Thanks CD for the second volume of Descent.
Thinks G. H. Lewes will review Descent in Pall Mall Gazette.
On "moral sense" in Descent.