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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.
Describes her compassion for all his sufferings and writes of her wish that his gratitude could be offered to heaven as well as to herself. To her, the only relief is to try to believe that suffering and illness are from God’s hand "to help us to exalt our minds & to look forward with hope to a future state".
Suggests procedures for breeding experiments with hollyhocks. Recommends C. F. v. Gärtner [Bastarderzeugung (1849)]. [See also 3151]
Writes about dealings through John Lubbock regarding [a banking partnership for] WED.
William Darwin can go to Southampton any time should the banking proposition come to anything. CD is sure he would work hard.
Asks for specimens of Aceras.
Mentions orchid species he has seen. Asks AGM to make observations.
Discusses feral rabbits of Porto Santo. Arranges for care of rabbits while the Darwins visit Torquay.
Sends queries concerning insect fertilisation of Epipactis palustris.
AG’s review of John Phillips’ book [Life on earth (1860), in Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 31 (1861): 444–9].
Thinks his experiments will explain Primula dimorphism.
Insect fertilisation of orchids.
Wishes that the "greatest curse on Earth", slavery, were abolished.
Gives directions to Down. Would be happy to see SPW but regrets they "have no attractions".
Agrees about colonisation of Arctic region.
CD thought that his St Helena land shells had quite recently become embedded; his specimens are at the Geological Society.
Can SPW ask A. Günther for any references to Silurus escaping from the Danube?
Writes regarding the possibility of banking partnership for WED; second note arranges a meeting between the involved parties in London.
Arrangements for a meeting.
Asks to meet JL for a final talk about the banking partnership for William Darwin.
CD regrets he has to turn down an invitation because of his ill health.
Will look for botanical specimens CD requested.
Tells of a kestrel with a broken leg which apparently was forced to change its diet to worms and snails because of the injury.
Sends "the dates of the principal events of my Life" requested by EW [for use in his Men of the time (1862)].
Discusses transport of fish to Lake Constance by flooding.
Sends MS on fowls for WBT’s inspection.
Reports his experiment with fertilising the large periwinkle (Vinca major), which he had never known to produce seed. He found that the pollen could not reach the stigma without the aid of insects, which in England never visit the flower. CD produced seeds by inserting a fine bristle, like the proboscis of a moth. Asks readers to repeat this experiment with other species that do not habitually seed and to report the result.
His thanks to "Eques" of Argyllshire for his remarkable information on the inheritance of colour in horses. Acknowledges the difficulty of defining dun. Requests further information.
Thanks BSM for orchid specimens. Discusses various species of Orchis and Ophrys.