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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.
CD would be pleased to sit for a bust by Thomas Woolner for JDH, but he is too ill now.
Emma’s views on slavery and the Civil War.
CD too unwell to write but has signed the [unspecified] paper and forwarded it as requested.
CD thinks JS’s Primula paper is fit for publication; he will send it on to the Linnean Society.
John Scott is gratified at Bentham’s proposal that he become an associate of the Linnean Society.
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".
Request for plants.
CD’s continuing ill health.
Request for plant.
Receipt of Oliver’s letter.
Responds to items in CD’s letter, just received. Suggests parts of London where he might look for a house. Gives news of friends and relatives.
Has accepted the Hensleigh Wedgwoods’ invitation to go to London with them; can look at houses with CD. She wishes to avoid extravagance; asks him to choose three or four for her to see.
Emma prepares JDH for his visit to Wedgwood factory and Barlaston.
CD has been so ill they must discourage visit by WDF. Recovering slowly with new treatment.
She agrees that London is the place to settle. She is eager to see him and full of plans.
Urges WDF to send trap he has invented to the exhibition and competition of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Advertisement of Brailsford’s Patent Vermin Trap enclosed.
CD says Meneanthes is now in flower.
Describes the journey home and the long talks on their return. No maid has been found, so he should engage the one she saw, "for ten guineas & tea & sugar a year". She thought CD looked unwell and overtired.
Responds to his "business letter" about the maids, then chides herself for feeling dull and disagreeable when she has had everything all her life.
Is delighted to learn they have "Macaw Cottage" [12 Upper Gower Street] – their second choice; hopes they have disposed of the dead dog in the garden. Much family news.
Seeks to persuade CD to leave town at once, go to Shrewsbury for doctoring and some rest, then come to Maer for more rest, for he has looked "so unwell". She knows it must be hard for him to be unable to do his work.
Discusses CD’s religious doubts. Fears his work may lead him to discount what cannot be proved, and advises that there are some things which, "if true are likely to be above our comprehension" and "that there is a danger in giving up revelation".
CD sends thanks to Mr Noel for allowing him to see article [sent by Alice Bonham-Carter, see 4722]. CD is pleased at Bernhard von Cotta’s remarks on species; very few of the older distinguished geologists have so favourable a view of his work. He was particularly pleased to read Cotta’s remarks on the azoic formations.