Showing 21–40 of 589 items
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.
Suggests periodicals to receive review copies [of Descent].
Is "ashamed at my corrections".
Has received (from CD) the sheets of the second volume [of Descent].
He fears he has offended CD or someone in England and he begs to know his offence.
His brother is working at the Red Sea and wishes CD to know that he has evidence for the affinity of ascidians and vertebrates in their nervous systems.
Plans to go to Paris upon its imminent capitulation to help his sister-in-law.
Meeting with CD postponed.
Discusses mailing of presentation copies [of Descent]. Sends addresses of A. R. Wallace and St George Mivart.
Has sent CD his book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has not said a word in opposition to CD except where his view of the truth necessitated it.
Finished the last proofs of Descent a few days ago. "I shall be well abused."
St George Mivart’s Genesis [of species]: very good, unfortunately theological. Will tell heavily against natural selection but not against evolution, and this is "infinitely more important".
JBI regrets his part in appointments of his successors.
His friendship with CD and its effect on his fellow clerics.
Thanks CD for vol. 1 of Descent. Feels nothing but sympathy and esteem for a writer labouring for the promotion of what he conscientiously believes to be the truth.
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.
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.
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.
Seeks information and observations on the contraction of the orbicular muscles as a consequence of skin irritation.
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.
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.
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.
Asks that review copy [of Descent] be sent to F. P. Cobbe.
Discusses mailing of presentation copies.