Ɛpsilon

From J. F. McLennan   24 March 1871

London | 14 Old Burlington St W

24 Mar 71

My dear Sir

The enclosed torn off a letter I have just received may interest you. The writer is a Mr. Gibson one of the most accomplished members of the Scotch Bar.1 The “Pat” referred to is P. P. Alexander author of various books notably of one “Mill & Carlyle” who is my assistant as Secretary of the Scotch Law Amendment Society & whom I left in charge of my letters;2 & the reference to MacMillan is explanatory of my losing the chance—at a moment when I was free—of being able to review yr. book in “Nature” which I gladly undertook to do but regret to say was unable to do.3 There was a delay in sending me either MacMillan’s copy or that you had kindly sent to me. When the book came I was absorbed in other work as you may judge from the fact that I have not yet succeeded in getting half-way through the first volume. I have been delighted with what I have read & am eager to push through with it. But usually it is late in the morning when I can take it up & then I am fagged.

Excuse this intrusion & believe me with great respect, | Yrs. | J F. M’Lennan.

1
Mr Gibson has not been identified. The enclosure has not been found.
2
McLennan refers to Patrick Proctor Alexander and to Alexander 1866.
3
The journal Nature was published by Macmillan & Co. McLennan had received a copy of Descent from CD, but it was evidently sent to him in Edinburgh and therefore did not reach him until 6 March (see letter from J. F. McLennan, 6 March 1871). A review of Descent appeared in the 6 April 1871 issue of Nature (Pye-Smith 1871).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-7618,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-7618