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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.
Previous letter [missing] on Edinburgh position was ill-tempered. Friends assure him that he ought to be thankful for opportunity to try for professorship.
Reports meeting with Humboldt in Paris.
News of the children and books he is reading.
Mainly news of the three children.
Discusses EWB’s application for a position and his qualifications.
CD sends queries on chemical composition of various Beagle mineral specimens.
Remarks on fossils described in A. D. d’Orbigny’s Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale.
Asks CL whether he has talked with John Murray concerning 2d ed. [of Journal of researches].
Mentions conversation with Hugh Cuming about South American shells. Has had G. B. Sowerby (elder) look at some specimens.
Sends results of chemical tests on specimens [of salt, see South America, pp. 73–5].
Encloses abstract from Justus Liebig on composition of bones and their ability to withstand decay.
Congratulates JDH and condoles with him on possible position at Edinburgh. Although CD will miss him bitterly, he encourages JDH to view it as a good opportunity.
Sorry to hear that Humboldt is failing.
News of his family and his own health. He is able to work three hours a day on the geology of South America.
Harriet Martineau is greatly excited by mesmerism.
Tells of Sydney Smith’s dream.
Asks for some [S. American] potatoes to test "sporting".
Discusses checks on growth of species population; use of term "mutation" in his species theory. His belief in species mutability.
Agrees that CD’s fossil shells do not differ from those ADd’O saw in South America. Apparent differences due to errors by G. B. Sowerby. Collection magnificent; recommends special publication. Enabled ADd’O to correct error in dating of sandstone of Concepción. Lists geological periods represented in collection from Jurassic to Diluvian. Collection includes unusual group of crepidules.
Identifications of CD’s fossil shells. New species marked; many described previously by ADd’O.
Sends information on Gryphaea orientalis. [See South America, p. 212.]
Encloses analysis of salt from Patagonia. Cannot account for its inferiority.