skip to content

Darwin Correspondence Project

To Hermanus Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen   8 November 1871

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. [Leith Hill Place, Surrey]

Nov. 8 1871

Dear Sir

I am extremely glad to hear, for your & my own sake, of the success of your Translation.1 I have partly written an essay on Expression, but from ill-health during 2 months, & from largely correcting a new edit. of the “Origin”, the above essay will probably not be sent to press for 6 or 9 months.2 Whenever it is printed I will inform you & shall be pleased if you think it worth translation. But from what you say you will perhaps by that time have started on your voyage to N. America.3 I would strongly advise you to get introductions from those who are personally acquainted with you, as I am sure they would be much the most valuable.—

I know very few persons in the United States, & as I do not know you personally, I can only say that you have translated my work, & have shewn in your correspondence with me much zeal & intelligence.

Believe me I shall be happy to assist you as far as lies in my power, & with every good wish I remain | dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin

Footnotes

CD refers to the Dutch translation of Descent (Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen trans. 1871–2). See letter from Hermanus Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen, 3 November 1871.
CD refers to Expression and Origin 6th ed. Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen had offered to translate Expression. See letter from Hermanus Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen, 3 November 1871 and n. 3.
Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen was considering emigrating to the United States.

Bibliography

Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.

Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.

Origin 6th ed.: The origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. 6th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.

Summary

CD glad to hear of success of translation of Descent.

Will not go to press with Expression for six or nine months; hopes HHHvZ will think it worth translating.

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8056,” accessed on 16 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8056.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 19

letter