From:
Thomas Henry Huxley
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
27 Jan 1874
Source of text:
DAR 154: 128
Summary:
Reports to CD on a spiritualist séance attended by himself (incognito) and G. H. Darwin.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Reports to CD on a spiritualist séance attended by himself (incognito) and G. H. Darwin.
Has heard from Dohrn about his financial problems. Asks CD’s advice on what to do.
THH’s article in Contemporary Review ["Universities: actual and ideal" (1874), Collected essays, vol. 3 (1894)].
His note on brain [in man and apes for 2d ed. of Descent] nearly finished.
Has heard nothing about Dohrn.
THH has been invited to lecture in America.
Sends his screed about the brain [for Descent], which he thinks pounds the enemy into a jelly.
Is in good health.
His note on the brain should be in small type.
Glad CD agrees with him on hand, foot, and skull question.
Has heard from Dohrn.
Returns proof of his note on brain for 2d ed. of Descent. Has added a reference to Abbé Lecomte’s "terrible pamphlet" [Le Darwinisme et l’origine de l’homme (1873)] "lest it be thought I meant our cher Owen".
K. G. Semper’s article ["On the relationship of the Vertebrata and Annelida", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 15 (1875): 94–5] is ill-natured. Misinterprets facts already discovered by F. M. Balfour.
Has been working on Amphioxus. Puts his theory of vertebrate skulls on firm footing at last.
Entirely sympathises with CD about Mivart’s attack on George. THH has had a letter from Mivart in which he pleads guilty, but THH has decided there is no patching the matter up. Advises against doing anything unless Mivart takes initiative.
A severe letter of rebuke to Mivart for his attack on G. H. Darwin.
Agrees with CD on vivisection. Will communicate with Burdon Sanderson and see what can be done.
Mivart’s wriggle.
Writes on behalf of Royal Society Polar Committee for suggestions concerning instructions to naturalists on new expedition.
Sends his thoughts on [vivisection] petition. Thinks they might make petition more talked about. Leaves it to J. Paget, Burdon Sanderson, and CD to deal with.
Lord Cardwell thinks it unlikely that Parliament will take any action on a vivisection bill this session. Playfair should be consulted.
E. F. W. Pflüger’s important memoir on how carbonic acid is produced by living matter and his speculation about origin of living matter [see 9931].
Lyon Playfair’s bill [on vivisection] is unacceptable to all teachers of physiology. It prohibits dissections for demonstrations to students. He will have to repudiate it. Asks CD’s advice.
Playfair "disgusted at our pronunciamentos against the Bill". Burdon Sanderson and William Sharpey agreed to it. THH feels he must serve on Vivisection Commission.
Encloses an invitation to give evidence to Vivisection Commission. Satisfied with way things were going, but E. E. Klein’s evidence that he is utterly indifferent to pain of animals has done great mischief.
Arrangements for CD’s appearance before Vivisection Commission.
A Dr Sarazin offers services as translator.
Will read CD’s letter about Robert Swinhoe to Royal Society Council and see what can be done for him.
Agrees with CD that Charles Voysey’s "Protest" would not do any good.
Has less sympathy with half-hearted sentimental school than with thorough-going orthodoxy. On theological dogmas, benevolence of the Creator.
[Encloses copy of his letter to Voysey.]
He said nothing in his tribute to CD that was not strictly accurate. Has written out a version as well as he can recollect it and will send CD a copy.