From:
John Brodie Innes
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
28 Sept 1868
Source of text:
DAR 167: 19
Summary:
The election of 1868.
Remarkable deflection of the plummet observed east of Forres.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
The election of 1868.
Remarkable deflection of the plummet observed east of Forres.
Full background on the difficulties of the vicarage of Down.
Describes a supposed cross between a cow and a red deer or doe.
Will try to get more information about the supposed hybrid [of cow and deer].
The rumours about John Robinson [curate of Down] cause JBI concern. He will seek to get the facts – will try to protect Robinson against malicious rumours, but if he is immoral he must go forthwith.
Hopes Miss [Sarah Elizabeth] Wedgwood will sell part of her land for a parsonage at Down. Recounts his futile efforts to obtain land in the past.
Encloses news item about the supposed hybrid [of cow and deer].
Has forwarded a veterinary surgeon’s description of the supposed hybrid [of cow and deer, see 6504]. A neighbour who has seen it is convinced it is genuine.
JBI can do no more about John Robinson.
R. H. Hutton has given a paper about CD at Liverpool Church Congress.
JBI has seen four milk-white partridges among brown ones this year.
Sends Guardian containing Hutton’s paper on CD.
Discusses Henry Powell, the new vicar of Down, and plans for the parsonage.
JBI sends clipping about a hybrid between a deer and a cow, from the same parish as the one reported in 1868.
JBI regrets his part in appointments of his successors.
His friendship with CD and its effect on his fellow clerics.
Has finished Descent, which charmed but did not convert him.
Sends examples of dogs’ reasoning.
Has given up his farm.
On Down parish matters.
Down parish and family matters.
Writes about a white rabbit which is turning fawn-coloured,
and about Scottish education.
JBI reports that the editor of Journal of Horticulture has identified the tree at Loch Carron as Sambucus racemosa, red-berried elder.
JBI on CD’s integrity and the separateness of science and religion.
Reports finding a wood pigeon’s nest on the ground, though woods are nearby.
Sends specimens of what he takes to be barnacles found on rocks in the mountains.
"Barnacles" [from rocks in Scottish mountains, identified as lichens],
burglar alarms,
and family news.
Has heard that land may be available for parsonage at Down.