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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.
Asks whether he may send two or three other tubes [of boiled infusions] to be placed in the open and observed for him.
Tells CD of his engagement to Louisa, eldest daughter of Lord Claud Hamilton.
His investigations [into spontaneous generation] continue. He will deal with Bastian’s work [The modes of origin of lowest organisms (1871)].
The medical journals see that the end of the nonsense they have so long countenanced is nigh.
Will provide the siren.
Sends CD proofs of a lecture he will give at Liverpool. Asks CD to check the part referring to him.
Élie de Beaumont’s remark, in which he requires CD to recant before being admitted to the [French] Academy, is intolerable. "This spirit has much to do with the present condition of France."
Has devised a respirator for firemen by moistening cotton wool with glycerine and adding charcoal. JT suggests the nose with its hairs and mucus is a respirator that would give protection against diseases caused by floating particles. The presence of hair and mucus is thus explained by CD’s theory.
JT suggests that Ogle call upon him so that they can arrange experiments suitable for his purpose.
Has seen Ogle. His subject [olfactory nerve tissue and absorption of odours] has often occupied JT’s attention.
Sends CD a copy of the memorial supporting Hooker’s case against A. S. Ayrton’s interference in the administration of Kew Gardens.
William Spottiswoode was not at home, but JT sought out Herbert Spencer. Spencer will come with JT to see CD [about the Huxley fund].
Is convinced that the "brotherly spirit of the transaction" will cause Huxley not to raise objections.
W. G. Armstrong and T. H. Farrer have both contributed [to the Huxley fund].
It is Huxley’s "duty to do what we wish him to do – his duty to his wife and children, his duty to us and to the world". Shares CD’s wish that Mrs [Henry] L[yell?] had not subscribed – it suggests the idea of an effort.
[Sir Joseph?] Whitworth’s contribution brings total to over £2000. Wishes CD could be persuaded to come to lunch with Huxley and Emerson.
Asks CD to look over those parts of the proofs of his Belfast address [Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): lxvi–xcvii] that mention CD.
JT had not known Lady Lubbock was ill. Will try to persuade her [to change physicians]. Agrees Andrew Clark is best.
Hooker has survived his crisis [death of his wife].
St G. J. Mivart’s act is a natural outflow of his character.
Asks JT to send the tubes [of boiled infusions]. Frank Darwin will do his best. Asks for full instructions.
Sends congratulations and a teapot on the occasion of JT’s engagement.
Is pleased JT is not giving up on the spontaneous generation question. Feels strongly that subject will not be clear until it is understood how J. S. Burdon Sanderson and others succeeded in getting bacteria in infusions they had boiled for a long time.
CD has quite given up the marine theory [of Glen Roy] and has accepted glacier lakes. "Nothing makes me gnash my teeth so much as that confounded paper of mine." It is a lesson "never in science to infer one explanation is right because no other one seems possible".
Has read JT’s address ["Science and man", The Times, 2 October 1877, p. 8]. What JT says about CD honours and pleases him. JT’s short character of Faraday is beautiful.
Has observed, perhaps erroneously, that certain plants were excited to movement by a prolonged high note on the bassoon. Would now like to try a siren and asks JT to bring one from the Royal Institution.