Comments on StGJM’s book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has no personal objection to a word of it, but regrets their views differ so much.
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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.
Comments on StGJM’s book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has no personal objection to a word of it, but regrets their views differ so much.
Is sorry CD found Genesis of species unfairly critical. Assures CD of his just intentions and offers to alter certain words and phrases in a new edition. Emphasises his high regard for CD but fears his views are leading to religious decay.
Reports his observations on the concurrence of orbicular muscle spasms, engorgement of eyes with blood, and formation of tears.
A bibliographical query arising in translation of Descent. Two misprints noted.
Is glad CD does not believe he is biased by an odium theologicum. Comments on the first volume of Descent. Is convinced of the truth of evolution, but believes natural selection plays only a secondary role and that man is fundamentally different from the rest of creation.
Seeks information and observations on the contraction of the orbicular muscles as a consequence of skin irritation.
Response to [vol. 1 of] CD’s Descent.
Not yet convinced on sexual selection and protection, though their differences are not so great as CD thinks.
On man, he does not think CD has accounted for every step of his development by "ascertained laws".
He has found passage on false belief, Variation 2: 414, and does not think the whole with context is dogmatic. [Encloses copy of the passage.]
Has received all the proof-sheets of first volume and of second volume to p. 168 [Descent].
Leaves for Paris tomorrow.
Thanks CD for the second volume of Descent.
Thinks G. H. Lewes will review Descent in Pall Mall Gazette.
Acknowledges StGJM’s kind letter. [See 7451.]
Offers to alter the "dogmatic assertion" referred to on page 102 [of StGJM’s On the genesis of species] but in 5th ed. of Origin and in Variation CD finds only qualified expressions.
CD apologises for having thought that StGJM’s religious feelings had led him to feel personal animosity towards him. [See 7454.]
He remembers having thought and written that belief in evolution is infinitely more important for science than belief in Natural Selection. For his own part he would have felt little interest in evolution apart from the explanation "in a general manner" of how each organism is so adapted to its conditions.
Describes a pouting expression in a 3½–year-old child.
Sends title-page of Descent for approval. Asks whether CD has any idea of size of index.
Sends diploma of election to the Royal Belgian Academy.
Has no idea about length of index [for Descent]. W. S. Dallas wrote it would take ten days more. Asks how many presentation copies he may have. Lists journals to receive review copies.
Sends list of journals to be sent review copies of Descent. If CD wants to add others, they will be included. Printing of 2500 copies ordered; retail price 24s.
Suggests periodicals to receive review copies [of Descent].
Is "ashamed at my corrections".
Discusses mailing of presentation copies [of Descent]. Sends addresses of A. R. Wallace and St George Mivart.