To William Ogle   28 [March 1871]

Down. | Beckenham | Kent. S.E.

28

My dear Dr Ogle

Hearty thanks. I am very glad I did fib, for I was pleased when I saw word “platysma” in your letter.—1 I have been trying some people & the platysma seemed to act; but as they shuddered it is very difficult to see, & I was unwilling to put my hand on neck to feel as that would have directed attention to the neck.— I shall be very curious to hear about operation & shivering fits.—2 I am all the more glad I fibbed, as it led you to write so long an account.— I do not myself feel any tendency to shrug my shoulders, when acting horror but it certainly occurs sometimes with strong disgust & with fear; & these are allied to horror.— As far as I can make out all strong emotions are exhibited in very diversified ways; & acting is very little trustworthy, yet is almost only means in some cases & serves as some guide.—

How fortunate I have been in your very kind assistance.

By chance I heard after writing from one of my sons that Paget was very ill—3 I am sincerely grieved— He has always struck me as a charming man.—

Yours most sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Postmark: MR 29 71

1
Ogle’s reply to CD’s letter of 25 March [1871] has not been found. CD’s ‘fib’ was to ask Ogle for information ‘in relation to a new point for observation’. CD had not mentioned the platysma myoides to avoid prejudicing Ogle’s response.
3
CD refers to James Paget and probably to Francis Darwin, who was studying medicine at St George’s Hospital, London (ODNB). Paget was suffering from blood poisoning as the result of an infection received during a post mortem examination he carried out in February 1871. His condition had worsened so that by this time he was thought to be near death. (See S. Paget ed. 1901, pp. 244–6.)

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

0.1 Beckenham] before del ‘Bromley.’
1.3 it] interl
1.5 shivering fits] above del ‘rigor’
1.6 myself] interl
1.7 when acting horror] interl
1.10 almost] interl
2.1 fortunate] after del ‘fot’

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-7631,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-7631