Ɛpsilon

To Edmund Hartnack1   1 March 1874

March 1 (74)

Monsieur

Il y a déjà plusieurs mois que je vous ai prié de vouloir bien m’envoyer un objectif microscopique, dont je vous ai donné la description2   Je vous prie encore de le m’envoyer aussitôt que possible puisque je desirerai m’en servir bientôt3

Agréez Monsieur | Mes Salutations distinguées | Ch Darwin

Draft(A)

1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
CD’s letter has not been found. In October 1873, CD had decided to order an immersion lens (a lens that produced a higher resolution by means of water) from Edmund Hartnack in Paris (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter to Francis Darwin, 10 October 1873), having purchased a microscope from Hartnack in June 1873 (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [before 26 June 1873] and n. 9). Hartnack had developed a correction collar for immersion lenses that resulted in much improved image quality (‘Edmund Hartnack (1826–1891)’, Molecular expressions: exploring the world of optics and microscopy, microscopy.fsu.edu/optics/timeline/people/hartnack.html (accessed 18 July 2013)).
3
CD probably intended to use the immersion lens for his work on insectivorous plants.

To Edmund Hartnack1   1 March 1874

March 1 (74)

Sir

Some months ago now, I asked you to send me a microscope lens, the description of which I gave you2   I am again requesting you to send it to me as soon as possible, since I should like to make use of it soon3

I am, Sir | Yours truly | Ch Darwin

Draft(A)

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original French, see Transcript.
2
CD’s letter has not been found. In October 1873, CD had decided to order an immersion lens (a lens that produced a higher resolution by means of water) from Edmund Hartnack in Paris (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter to Francis Darwin, 10 October 1873), having purchased a microscope from Hartnack in June 1873 (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [before 26 June 1873] and n. 9). Hartnack had developed a correction collar for immersion lenses that resulted in much improved image quality (‘Edmund Hartnack (1826–1891)’, Molecular expressions: exploring the world of optics and microscopy, microscopy.fsu.edu/optics/timeline/people/hartnack.html (accessed 18 July 2013)).
3
CD probably intended to use the immersion lens for his work on insectivorous plants.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9326,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9326