Showing 41–60 of 87 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.
Notification of submission of Smith, Elder & Co. accounts (enclosed) for first numbers of part II and part III of the Zoology, which are now published.
Would like to talk over Salisbury Craigs with CD.
CL’s father enthusiastic over Journal of researches.
Comments on Élie de Beaumont’s theory of mountain elevation.
Asks about parallel lines of upheaval and depression in the Pacific.
Glad CD likes Athenaeum Club.
Comments on methods of work.
Invites CD to visit Kinnordy.
Defends BAAS: "in this country no importance is attached to any body of men who do not make occasional demonstrations of their strength in public meetings".
With respect to Glen Roy, notes existence of deposits destitute of shells.
Report on R. A. C. Austen’s paper on the origin of limestone in Devonshire [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 2 (1838): 669–70]. CD deems it not worthy of publication in Transactions.
Seeks permission to make another visit to Addiscombe [Military College] to see again the model of St Helena. He needs to correct proportion of some geological sections in his Geology [see Volcanic islands, ch. 4].
Comments on an article in Edinburgh Review [by David Brewster, 67 (1838): 271–308] on Comte’s Philosophie positive.
Discusses falsity of Élie de Beaumont’s views of contemporaneous parallel lines of elevation and subsidence.
Owen’s views of relationship of reptiles to birds.
On "question of species" CD has filled notebook after notebook with facts, "which begin to group themselves clearly under sub-laws".
Submits the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the second number of the second part of the Zoology.
Reports arrival at Falklands; weather conditions, and unsuccessful search he made for a geological formation CD had seen. Describes cliffs, streams, rocks, and lines of elevation; includes two drawings.
Relates plan for an appendix to his Journal of researches which will include facts of species of birds’ being different in different islands of the Galápagos and also of the lizards and tortoises on the islands. Asks JSH whether he can supply parallels in the plant life.
Requests information for W. S. Macleay on JFWH’s method of catching pelagic animals while ship is under way.
Expresses her pleasure at CD’s engagement.
Announces his engagement to Emma Wedgwood.
RWD’s happiness that Emma has accepted CD’s proposal of marriage.
Hopes the Darwins in Shrewsbury will help her convince CD that he must not hurry their marriage too greatly. Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood [II] adds a postscript to the same effect.
Sends congratulations on CD’s engagement. "It is a marriage which will give almost as much pleasure to the rest of the world as it does to yourselves."
Expresses her pleasure and satisfaction in CD’s forthcoming marriage.
In his first letter after their engagement, CD reports on the happy reception of the news by his family. He hopes she will not find life with him solitary and dull after the lively social life of Maer.
JW’s satisfaction in bestowing Emma on CD.
[A note from Emma on cover thanks RWD for the way the family have received her.]
Expresses his pride and pleasure in CD’s friendship and wishes him well on hearing of his forthcoming marriage.
Recounts his misadventures on the train journey back to London. Tells of a visit to the FitzRoys and a friendly letter from Lyell. Whether CD and Emma should live in central London or in the suburbs is a perplexing problem, much discussed by relatives and friends.
Writes lovingly of small events since he left Maer. Fears their opinions may differ on "the most important subject", religion, but is grateful for his openness about his "honest & conscientious doubts".