Life and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2Darwin, Charles
Science
Life and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2
Darwin, Charles
Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882; Naturalists -- Great Britain -- Biography; Naturalists -- Great Britain -- Correspondence
apologise for troubling you with these remarks on the importance of
choosing good German terms for "Natural Selection." With my heartfelt
thanks, and with sincere respect,
I remain, dear Sir, yours very sincerely, CHARLES DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO H.G. BRONN. Down, July 14 [1860].
Dear and honoured Sir,
On my return home, after an absence of some time, I found the
translation of the third part (The German translation was published in
three pamphle-like numbers.) of the 'Origin,' and I have been delighted
to see a final chapter of criticisms by yourself. I have read the first
few paragraphs and final paragraph, and am perfectly contented, indeed
more than contented, with the generous and candid spirit with which you
have considered my views. You speak with too much praise of my work.
I shall, of course, carefully read the whole chapter; but though I can
read descriptive books like Gaertner's pretty easily, when any reasoning
comes in, I find German excessively difficult to understand. At some
FUTURE time I should very much like to hear how my book has been
received in Germany, and I most sincerely hope M. Schweitzerbart
will not lose money by the publication. Most of the reviews have been
bitterly opposed to me in England, yet I have made some converts, and
SEVERAL naturalists who would not believe in a word of it, are now
coming slightly round, and admit that natural selection may have done
something. This gives me hope that more will ultimately come round to a
certain extent to my views.
I shall ever consider myself deeply indebted to you for the immense
service and honour which you have conferred on me in making the
excellent translation of my book. Pray believe me, with most sincere
respect,
Dear Sir, yours gratefully, CHARLES DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO C. LYELL. Down, [February 12th, 1860].
... I think it was a great pity that Huxley wasted so much time in the
lecture on the preliminary remarks;... but his lecture seemed to me very
fine and very bold. I have remonstrated (and he agrees) against the
impression that he would leave, that sterility was a universal and
infallible criterion of species.
You will, I am sure, make a grand discussion on man. I am so glad to
hear that you and Lady Lyell will come here. Pray fix your own time; and
if it did not suit us we would say so. We could then discuss man well...
How much I owe to you and Hooker! I do not suppose I should hardly ever
have published had it not been for you.
[The lecture referred to in the last letter was given at the Royal
Institution, February 10, 1860. The following letter was written
in reply to Mr. Huxley's request for information about breeding,
hybridisation, etc. It is of interest as giving a vivid retrospect of
the writer's experience on the subject.]
CHARLES DARWIN TO T.H. HUXLEY. Ilkley, Yorks, November 27 [1859].
My dear Huxley,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account