Encloses an article he wrote for the Scotsman [9 Mar 1871, p. 5].
Wishes he had time to write a critique of Descent. There is evidence of design and benevolence in nature. Beauty cannot be accounted for by natural selection.
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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.
Encloses an article he wrote for the Scotsman [9 Mar 1871, p. 5].
Wishes he had time to write a critique of Descent. There is evidence of design and benevolence in nature. Beauty cannot be accounted for by natural selection.
Pleased about sale and new issue [of Descent]. Discusses presentation copies.
Believes he has committed an oversight with regard to sexual selection in insects. Cites conclusions of B. T. Lowne, which are similar to GBM’s.
Thanks BJS for his interesting letter about parrots and language.
Asks whether Bugis [Buggess] are Malays. [See 7587.]
Is leaving for Ningpo; asks CD for another copy of his [Queries about expression], which he will try to answer.
Comments on various points in Descent: proportion of sexes, moral sentiments in animals, etc. Encloses "packet of data" [missing].
Thanks CD for Descent.
Sends a copy of his oratio inauguralis on De harmonie van het dierlijke leven [1848] in which he espoused evolution, but did not see the influence of natural selection.
Russian translation of Descent in progress, but the Minister of Interior has banned CD’s work and the book will be seized.
His foolish brother-in-law, Mayor of Montmartre, attempted to defend their section against the government.
CD’s queries on man and camels have gone to Alexander [Kovalevsky] in Sinai.
PM’s letter and newspaper article [see 7576] show him to be still vigorous. CD doubts that he himself will be good for much more.
Sends CD a list of misprints in vol. 1 of Descent.
Although their language is different, the Bugis are typical Malays both physically and mentally.
Thanks RHB for information on expression in the blind.
Sends queries on expression and asks whether he could answer them with respect to those born blind.
Appreciative response to ARW’s "grand review" of Descent in the Academy [2 (1871–2): 177–82]. Comments in detail on ARW’s criticisms.
Will be pleased to collect information on the blind for CD when time allows. Generally very few (about one quarter) of blind people entering institutions are born blind.
The presence of the inter-condyloid perforation in man no more indicates his simian relations than it does his relations to numerous other animals.
Comments on continued appearance of Revue [des cours scientifiques] despite German siege. Plans enlarged format to include politics and political economy. Repeats request to publish first part of Descent, chapter by chapter, to be followed by publication of the whole.
Case of hereditary transmission; in his own family ten of LH’s generation suffer a defect in the right knee-joint.
Thanks TRRS for copy of his book [Essays on Darwinism (1871)].
Comments on FCD’s 1848 work [see 7582] in which he came near to anticipating CD.
Comments on FCD’s paper [on action of the eyelids, see 7203]. Asks about contraction or dilation of the iris due to emotional states, illness, or prostration.