Ɛpsilon

From William Graham   5 October 1881

61 Coleshill St. Eaton Sq. S.W.

Oct 5th. 1881.

Dear Sir

I am a Candidate for the new Chair of Logic, Mental & Moral Science, and Political Economy at University College, Liverpool.1 Would you have any objection to my making use of the enclosed extracts from your letter of July 5th. relative to my book, in the character of a testimonial?2 I have express testimonials from Professor Bain, Mr. Lecky, & Mr. Froude referring mainly to my last book; and Herbert Spencer allows me to use a letter from him⁠⟨⁠.⁠⟩⁠3 If therefore you would kindly all⁠⟨⁠ow⁠⟩⁠ me to use part of yours in like manner I should feel greatly obliged. I feel some hesitation in troubling you, as my friend Dr. Moore of St. Bartholomews Hospital has informed me that you have been suffering from a severe family bereavement;4 Perhaps, to spare you the trouble of writing, if I do not hear to the contrary, I may assume you have no objection to complying with my request

faithfully yours | William Graham

Charles Darwin Esq | &c.

1
Graham’s candidacy was unsuccessful; the first professor of logic, mental and moral philosophy, and political economy was John MacCunn.
2
The enclosure has not been found, but see the letter to William Graham, 3 July 1881.
4
Norman Moore was a friend of CD’s son Francis Darwin (ODNB s.v. Moore, Sir Norman). CD’s brother, Erasmus Alvey Darwin, had died on 26 August 1881.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-13373,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-13373