To William Ogle 22 February 1882
Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | (Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.)
Feb. 22d 1882
My dear Dr. Ogle
You must let me thank you for the pleasure which the Introduction to the Aristotle book has given me.1 I have rarely read anything which has interested me more; though I have not read as yet more than a quarter of the book proper. From quotations which I had seen I had a high notion of Aristotle’s merits, but I had not the most remote notion what a wonderful man he was. Linnæus & Cuvier have been my two Gods, though in very different way, but they were mere school-boys to old Aristotle.—2
How very curious, also, his ignorance on some points as on muscles as the means of movement.—3 I am glad that you have explained in so probable a manner some of the grossest mistakes attributed to him.— I never realised before reading your book to what an enormous summation of labour we owe even our common knowledge. I wish old Aristotle could know what a grand Defender of the Faith he had found in you.
Believe me my dear Dr Ogle | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Ogle, William, trans. 1882. Aristotle on the parts of animals. London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co.
Summary
Has rarely read anything more interesting than WO’s introduction to his Aristotle translation. Had no notion what a wonderful man Aristotle was. Linnaeus and Cuvier were mere schoolboys compared to him. His ignorance on some points, as on muscles and the means of movement, is curious.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13697
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- William Ogle
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 261.5: 19 (EH 88205917)
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13697,” accessed on 30 November 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13697.xml
