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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.
Is glad to hear R. B. Litchfield is better.
Discusses William Darwin’s engagement to Sara Sedgwick.
Reports on the standing of James Torbitt: "the opinion of the Public is that he is rich and highly respectable".
Sends M. Guthrie’s book [On Mr Spencer’s formula of evolution (1879)], although HEL may not care to read it having seen Moulton’s letter [12350].
Responds to note about the MS [Descent] with great interest and promises to obey his instructions. [See 7124.]
Responds to her suggested corrections [of Descent].
Sends MS [of chs. 3 and 4, "Comparison of the mental powers of man and the lower animals", Descent] to HED for her criticism. CD fears parts are too much like a sermon; "who wd ever have thought I shd turn parson?"
Describes crying in an infant.
Reports on sales and reception of his book [Descent]. Thanks HED for her help.
Wallace’s article in the Academy [2 (1870–1): 177–82] shows CD has had no influence on him; the review has had hardly any influence on CD.
Is delighted at the sale of Descent. What CD says about her help pleases her very much and the proposed gift as a memorial will be very precious to her. Is looking forward to seeing the family in London. Comments on a letter comparing CD's appearance to an ape. Is surprised CD has had no effect on Wallace: 'It seems to me his mind can’t be so clear as u used to think it'. Has worked out why she is dissatisfied with T. H. Huxley's essay ‘On the physical basis of life’ (T. H. Huxley 1869).
Writes to HED for fear of tiring CD and to pass on, if she deems suitable, her view that there is no distinction to be made between self-regarding and other-regarding virtues.
An affectionate letter to HL on her honeymoon. Urges her to keep her mother as an example.
CD’s letter [7922] was very sweet to her, and if her marriage [to Richard B. Litchfield] can be half as perfect as CD’s she will be very happy.
Richard’s German fails in communicating with washerwomen.
CD is "more than pleased" by what R. B. Litchfield said of him. Congratulates HEL on having "so noble a husband".
All were "profoundly" interested by HEL’s account [of their welcome at the Working Men’s College].
Does not want CD to put his name to any religious movement. Discourages giving money to Abbott or Voysey.
Summarises her theory about expression in music.
Sends MS chapter on voice from Expression to HL for examination.
Agrees with R. B. Litchfield about Herbert Spencer’s views on speech and music.
Sends MS of section on voice as a means of expression [Expression, pp. 86–93]. CD is dissatisfied with it – wishes he could avoid the subject.
On the "doubtful & obscure" subject of marriage of cousins, CD believes, that judging from the analogy of animals, no direct evil would follow from their marriage. He would, however, expect the offspring of unrelated parents to be somewhat superior in size and vigour. The injury from the increase of any bad tendency common to the family seems to CD more to be feared than mere consanguinity; "the good effects of crossing distinct families I look at as great & undoubted".
Wishes to insert R. B. Litchfield’s remarks [into Expression] but will not give them as his own.
Thanks for her pains over corrections [for Expression].