From G. O. Wight   18 October 1877

Sir,

I have been reading with very great pleasure & interest your book “The Expression of the Emotions” & occasionally as I read made a note. I have put these together & send them herewith & shall be very glad indeed if they are of any service to you.¹

Permit me to say that the wording of your principle of Antithesis on page 28 appears contradictory. It reads “there is a strong & involuntary tendency to the performance of movements of a directly opposite nature, though these are of no use: & such movements are in some cases highly expressive”.

Now if the movements are expressive & done at will it seems to me they must be useful. Take the instance of the dog whose movements of affection are in antithesis to those of attack. Is it not necessary for the dog to exhibit such movements in order to preclude meeting with a hostile reception? if so are not the demonstrations of affection equally useful with those of offense?

I am aware that your time must be very largely occupied but I would esteem it a favour if at your liesure you would assist me out of my difficulty.

I am, Sir, | Yours Respectfully | Geo. Oswald Wight.

Charles Darwin. Esq.