From Charles and Emma Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood [after 11 March 1871]1
Ch. tells me to say that he has been much pleased with your notice of his views & he thinks you have given it very correctly as far as a few words could do so. As far as he remembers you are the sole person, except pure naturalists, who have noticed this part with any approbation. He has lately been going over the chapter with much care, after rereading all the many hostile criticisms, & has slightly modified parts, giving somewhat more force to the influence of the approbation or disapprobation of others; but he still remains convinced about his fundamental notion2
As you are great at decyphering dear Snow I have sent it as it is— wh will shock Ch.3
Footnotes
Bibliography
Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.
Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. The works of Charles Darwin: an annotated bibliographical handlist. 2d edition. Folkestone, Kent: William Dawson & Sons. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, Shoe String Press.
Summary
A draft letter [but sent in the original state by Emma Darwin]. Approves of FJW’s notice of his views.
CD has slightly revised parts in view of both approving and disapproving critics, but still remains convinced about his fundamental notions.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-8127
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin; Emma Wedgwood/Emma Darwin
- To
- Frances Julia (Snow) Wedgwood
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 57–31570)
- Physical description
- AL 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8127,” accessed on 1 September 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8127.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 19