WCP1877

[1]

Down.

Bromley.

Kent. S.E.

[12-17] March [1867]¹

My dear Wallace

I thank you much for your two notes.² The case of Julia Pastrana³ is a splendid addition to my other cases of correlated teeth & hair, & I will give ^add it in correcting the proofs of my present volume.— Pray let me hear in course of summer if you get any evidence about the gaudy [2] caterpillars. I sh[oul]^d. much like to give ^{(or quote if published)} this idea of yours, if in any ^way supported, as suggested by you. It will, however, be a long time hence, for I can see that sexual selection is growing into quite a large subject, which I shall introduce into my essay on man, supposing that I ever publish it. I had intended giving a chapter on man, in as [3] much as many call him ^(not quite ^truly) an eminently domesticated animal; but I found the subject too large for a chapter. Nor would [two words illeg. crossed out] should ^shall I be capable of treating the subject well, & my sole reason ^{for taking it up} is that I am pretty well convinced that sexual selection has played an important part in the formation of races, & sexual selection has always been a subject which has [one word illeg. crossed out] interested me much.

[4] I have been very glad to see your impression from memory on the expression of Malays. I fully agree with you ^that the subject is in no way an important one: it is simply a "hobby-horse" with me about 27 years old; & after thinking that I would write an essay on man, it flashed on me that I could work in some "supplemental remarks on expression,"— After the horrid [5] tedious dull work of my present huge & I fear unreadable book, I thought I would amuse myself with my hobby-horse. The subject is, I think, more curious & more amenable to scientific treatment, than you seem willing to allow. I want anyhow to upset Sir C. Bell’s⁴ view, given in his most interesting work "the anatomy of Expression"⁵ that certain [6] muscles have been given to man solely that he may reveal to other men his feelings. I want to try & show how expressions ^have arisen.—

That is a good suggestion about newspapers; but my experience tells me that private applications are generally most fruitful.— I will, however, see if I can ^get the queries inserted in some Indian [7] paper.— I do not know name or address of any other papers.—

I have just ordered, but not yet received Murray’s book⁶: Lindley⁷ used to call him a blunder-headed man.— It is very doubtful whether I shall ever have strength to publish the latter part of my materials.

My two female amanuenses⁸ are busy with friends, & [8] I fear this scrawl will give you much trouble to read.—

With many thanks | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin [signature]