Ɛpsilon

From W. E. Darwin   [3 November 1872]1

Bassett, | Southampton.

Sunday

My dear Father,

I was delighted to get “Expression” this morning, and I am enjoying galloping through it extremely:2 Will not a child find it troublesome to clear its throat, because the reflex action of swallowing anything in the throat is so much more powerful.3 I think you have extinct for distinct p. 464

I am hoping to come home on Saturday or Saturday week, I will send word which.5 I should like to see any reviews or interesting letters

Your affect son | W E Darwin

When I am “a vulgar man” enough to scratch my head when puzzled it gives me the idea of momentarily taking my attention off the subject considered, and so helping the brain to make a fresh start6

1
The date is established by the reference to William’s copy of Expression (see n. 2, below). In 1872, 3 November fell on Sunday.
2
Presentation copies of Expression were sent out at the beginning of November (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter to Amy Ruck, [1 November 1872], and letter from W. W. Reade, 5 November 1872). William’s name appears on the presentation list for the book (Correspondence vol. 22, Appendix V).
3
In Expression p. 36, CD remarked that clearing the throat was not a reflex action, but had to be learnt by children.
4
This correction was made in the second printing of Expression.
5
William visited Down House on Friday 8 November 1872 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)).
6
‘A vulgar man often scratches his head when perplexed in mind’ (Expression, p. 32).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-8593F,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-8593F