Ɛpsilon

To John Fiske   3 November [1874]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent.

Nov. 3d

My dear Sir

I am very much obliged for your magnificent present of your Cosmical Philosophy, received this morning.2 On turning over the pages, I see that there is a good deal beyond my scope; not but what I shall attempt to grapple with the stiffest parts; but there are other subjects which I feel sure will deeply interest me. Good Heavens what labour the book must have cost you.— I sincerely hope that it may be in every way successful, & with my cordial thanks

I remain, my dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Charles Darwin

1
The year is established by the date of publication of Fiske’s book (see n. 2, below).
2
Fiske’s Outlines of cosmic philosophy based on the doctrine of evolution (Fiske 1874) is in the Darwin Library–Down. CD and Fiske had met at Henrietta Emma Litchfield’s house in November 1873, when Fiske was in London for three months finishing his book (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from John Fiske, 31 October 1873, and Appendix II).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9706,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9706