From Mr Topham 5 December 1872
[Mr. Topham suggests (letter, Dec. 5, 1872) that Shakespeare meant that the blush was unseen, not that it was absent.]1
Footnotes
The reference to Topham’s letter was added as a note to the second edition of Expression, edited by Francis Darwin and published after CD’s death; the note refers to CD’s claim that Shakespeare erred in Romeo and Juliet when he gave Juliet a speech that implied she did not blush in the dark (Expression, p. 336; Expression 2d ed., p. 355, n. 38). Topham has not been further identified.
Bibliography
Expression 2d ed.: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. 2d edition. Edited by Francis Darwin. London: John Murray. 1890.
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Summary
Suggests that Shakespeare meant the blush was unseen, not absent.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-8660G
- From
- John Topham
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Source of text
- Expression 2d ed., p. 355 n. 38
- Physical description
- inc
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8660G,” accessed on 20 October 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8660G.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 20
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