Ɛpsilon

To Francis Galton   10 November [1875]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

Nov. 10th night

My dear Galton

I have this minute finished your article in Fraser & I do not think I ever read anything more curious in my life.2 It is enough to make one a Fatalist. I am in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles if it is possible to muddle.3 But after all he does not write so odiously as I did in my letter, which you received so beautifully.4 I shd be glad to be convinced that the obscurity was all in my head, but I cannot think so, for a clear-headed (clearer than I am) member of my family read the article & was as much puzzled as I was— To this minute I cannot realise what are “developed” “sterile” & fertile germs.—5 You are a real Christian if you do not hate me for ever & ever.—

I shall try you when we come to London in a month or six weeks time, as I want to ask a question about averages, which can be asked in a minute or two, but wd. fill a long letter.—

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

PS. As soon as I am sure that no more pods of Sweet Peas will ripen, I will send all the bags in a Box per Railway to you.—6

1
The year is established by the reference to Galton 1875a (see n. 2, below).
2
Galton’s article on twins was published in Fraser’s Magazine (Galton 1875a).
3
A critical review of Galton 1875a was published in the Spectator, 6 November 1875, pp. 1387–9.
4
CD had commented on a proof copy of Galton’s article ‘A theory of heredity’ (Galton 1875b) in his letter of 7 November [1875]. See also letter from Francis Galton, 8 November 1875.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10254,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10254