Ɛpsilon

From G. H. Darwin   [22 November 1881]1

The University, | Glasgow.

Tuesday

Dear Father,

I think Sir W. will back me by a letter to some of the electors, & that wd. be an enormous help.2 He approves of the draft letter which I have written.

I suppose poor old C. is lingering on, by one’s not hearing of his death.3

I have had a lot of talk with Sir W. Today Preece comes for two nights to give a lecture in Glasgow4   I shall leave here probably on Saturday night.

Your affec son | G H Darwin

Mother’s5 cheque for carpet 20.1s to keep back as we are disputing as to whether it is yours or not. At first I thought not but I’ve change opinion now.

My various papers amount to over 600 pp.! to my surprize

1
The date is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter to G. H. Darwin, 19 November [1881]. In 1881, the Tuesday following 19 November was 22 November.
2
George had gone to Glasgow to visit William Thomson, and planned to discuss his possible candidature for the Plumian Professorship of astronomy and experimental philosophy at the University of Cambridge (see letter to G. H. Darwin, 19 November [1881]). For the list of electors, see the letter from G. H. Darwin, 17 November 1881.
3
James Challis was Plumian Professor of astronomy and experimental philosophy; he died in December 1882 (ODNB).
4
William Henry Preece gave a lecture titled ‘The age of electricity’ at Glasgow City Hall on 24 November 1881; Thomson presided (Glasgow Herald, 25 November 1881, p. 8).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-13503,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-13503