Ɛpsilon

To Chauncey Wright   6 September [1872]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent.

Sept 6th

My dear Mr Wright

I received this morning a very big book in 2 vols. from author, “Études sur les Facultés mentales des Animaux par J. C. Houzeau—membre de l’Acad. Belgique”— (A Travelling naturalist— “Paris Hachette & Co. 1872.”—2 This would be probably worth your notice.— I hope that you will enjoy the rest of your tour.— I have been heartily glad to make your personal acquaintance—3

In Haste | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

1
The year is established by the reference to Wright’s meeting with CD (see n. 3, below).
2
The reference is to Jean-Charles Houzeau’s Études sur les facultés mentales des animaux comparées à celles de l’homme (Observations on the mental faculties of animals compared with those of man; Houzeau 1872). CD cited it extensively in Descent 2d ed..
3
Wright visited CD on 4 and 5 September 1872 (see Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242) and Thayer 1878, p. 248). He referred to his tour in his letter of 29 August 1872.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

1.1 in 2 vols.] interl

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-8512,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-8512