From Adolf Reuter 30 May 1869
Sans Souci near Potsdam
the 30. 5. | 1869.
Sir,
You will be very astonished to receive a letter from a person, which has not the honour to be acquainted with you in any way, but I hope also you will excuse me, when I tell you the reason for what I took me liberty, to address this letter to you.—
Reading your very interesting and celebrated book on the species formation and animals and plants variation in the domestication,1 I thought that it would be perhaps agreeable to you, when I did send you also some similar examples, confirming your great Ideas:—
I am Gardener longer then 25 years, I was nearly 5 years in other’ countrys, at Liege in Mr. Jacob-Makoy’s nursery, at Gand in Mr. van Houtte’s;2 some time in France and longer then a year I was employed at Kew in the Royal Bot. Garden; I was always so happy to be working in the propagating houses.
Returned of my voyage, I have been employed 13 years in our Royal nursery for trees and shrubs &c. and in the same time I was obliged to give lessons our young gardeners, so that I did find very much occasion to study the nature of plants and collect experiences; now I am two years employed as Gardener of His Majesty the King.3
Sir, I know it very well that I am immodest to molest such a Gentleman as you with my simply knowledge, but because you are relating often in your celebrated books of English and french Gardening, so I thought it would be perhaps interesting for you to receive also some communication of German Gardening.
I should be glad indeed, when you would be so kind by giving me the permission to send you some examples of my small experience and so I hope to have the honour to receive some words like an answer.—
With my very best respects and assuring you of my attraction at all times | I am dear Sir | Your obedient servant | Ad. Reuter
Your honourable answer may be addressed so
Ad. Reuter | Gardener of His Majesty | SansSouci | near Potsdam (Prussia.)
Footnotes
Summary
AR, gardener to the King of Prussia, has read Variation and wishes to send CD observations.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-6761
- From
- Adolf Reuter
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Sans Souci, Potsdam
- Source of text
- DAR 176: 124
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 6761,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-6761.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 17