To Hermann Kindt   [18–22 October 1865]1

[Down.]

I have now recapitulated the chief facts and considerations, which have thoroughily convinced me that species have been modified, during a long course of descent, by the preservation or the natural selection of many successive slight favourable variations. I cannot believe that a false theory would explain, as it seems to me that the theory of natural selection does explain, the several large classes of facts above specified. It is no valid objection that science as yet throws no light on the far higher problem of the essence or origin of life. Who can explain what is the essence of attraction of gravity? No one now objects to following out the results consequent on this unknown element of attraction; not-withstanding that Leibnitz formerly accused Newton of introducing “occult qualities & miracles into philosophy.”—

Charles Darwin

p 514 3d Edit of “Origin”2

1
The date range is established by the relationship between this letter and the letters from Hermann Kindt, 17 October 1865 and 23 October 1865 (Correspondence vol. 13).
2
Kindt had asked CD to provide an autograph extract from Origin for facsimile reproduction in a journal that he edited, the Autographic Mirror (L’autograph cosmopolite; see Correspondence vol. 13, letter from Hermann Kindt, 17 October 1865). The autograph by CD appeared in the Autographic Mirror 3 (1865), no. 262. CD referred to Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-4918F,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-4918F