Describes CD’s visit to Maer on his return from Beagle voyage.
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Describes CD’s visit to Maer on his return from Beagle voyage.
Has returned CD’s Beagle journal MS. Thinks it would be an interesting account even if they did not know CD, and that it will be successful if published; the less it is mixed up with FitzRoy’s journal, the better.
Gives an account of his father’s illness.
Gives reason for writing [Principles of Geometric Demonstration (1844)]. Plans later edition in which HW will cite JH's statement in [Quarterly Review]. Role of sense experience in axioms.
Sends small work on foundations of thought, with citation of JH's article in Quarterly [Review]. Note on geometry of planes.
Ask JR to advise the Queen to issue Her Royal Commission of Inquiry into the best methods of securing the improvement of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Thanks HW for the trouble he has taken; sends a cheque [to cover expenses of Anne’s funeral?]. Emma Darwin adds a note to FMW.
Suggests CD use the common origin of the French "chef" and the English "head" or "évêque" and "bishop" to illustrate the parallels between extinction and transitional forms in language and palaeontology [see Natural selection, p. 384].
Recalls JH's letter from Cape regarding study of etymology. Encloses HW's own effort to develop this.
HW has confirmed the report in the Times of a shower of fish (minnows and sticklebacks) that fell on the Wedgwood colliery.
Prepared to think world infinitely old, but not that life originated with a single cell. Questions whether geological evidence supports gradual progress in organisation. HW thought scientific opinion during Vestiges debate was against this hypothesis. Argues that presence of same senses in lower animals and vertebrates does not imply descent; assumes resemblance is due to living in same world and thus having organs for the same purposes. Wants CD to know how others may see these questions.
On origin of hand-shaking.
Expression: derivation of the term "brown study".
A fragment that may contain information for Expression.
Development of complex language does not require an early civilisation. [See Descent 1: 56ff.]
On the expression of disagreeable surprise.
On "moral sense" in Descent.
Agrees that social instinct or love for fellows is the beginning of moral feeling. Responds to CD’s letter [7537].
Admits pointer illustration is faulty.
Discusses shame, remorse, social instincts, approbation, and other topics discussed in Descent, ch. 4. "But as yet I nail my colours to the mast."
Seeks to clarify his and HW’s views on the causes of repentance or shame.