From E. A. Darwin 20 November [1872]1
Nov 20
Dear Charles
I have received the Bankers receipts for £1116 Midland.2 The Etruria money Jos has paid to your account & he says he can’t say anything whether it ought to go to Emma’s settlement or not.3
F. gave me this letter of Lady Bells4 the other day to be burnt when read, & I send it on for the chance of your liking to see what a devoted wife she is. I found the Book very interesting, but I have not been in the way of hearing public opinion about it except indeed Sir Henry5 who of course could have given you some additional facts.
ever yours | ED
[Enclosure]
47 Albany Street N. W.
Monday 4th. Novr.—
My dear Mrs. Wedgwood—
I could say much to you of my thanks to Mr. Darwin, and of my interest in his Book, and especially for the—Restoration of the old fashioned Anaty of Expression, with his gratifying words of the Author. How I wish they had been acquainted!6
The last book that C. B read, (leaning on the Bedroom Chimneypiece at Hallow Park) on Thursday Evg. 28th of April 1842, was Darwins Voyage in the Beagle.7 and—he knew the love of Dogs so well.— Poor Striach jumped as usual into the phaeton, the day we drove to Granton Steamboat—and his Master had to put him—(for the last time) into No 6 Ainslie Place.—8 His eyes showed how much he was affected
They used both to contemplate, as if they were very loving friends.
We left Edinr on the 16th. April, intending to be for some Months in a Cottage in Wales, for rest after the Session,9 and for Fishing.
His restorative Work, in the Portmanteau was the Anaty of Expression, with the many notes, and additions, and emendations,—strewed in, among the cut leaves of the old Edition.— At that sad period—the whole got into confusion, and my Br. Alexander said that I must come to him to aid in what had been intended.10
I long to lend Mr Darwins book to Alex. when he comes home tomorrow, I have nearly finished it.
In the spirit of a woman, I am wedded to the Respiratory Theory!11 Alexr. has more extended views—
C. Bell felt deeply that there was still much to be done on the subjects he delighted in. But, he had to live by his Profession; and he longed for leisure. He saw the blanks that were to be filled. I like M. Lemoine’s notice.12
In the depths of difficulties—I sometimes remember Chas Shaw’s reply to a young soldier,—“Sir, why are we all to begin our march—with the left foot foremost”?—“Because it is the Command of His Majesty”.13
I am far behind in the race of today, with a deep respect for those who love, and humbly search for truth. Do tell Mr Darwin of my gratitude and Believe me, dear friend, | Yours affectionately Marion Bell
Footnotes
Bibliography
Bell, Charles. 1844. The anatomy and philosophy of expression as connected with the fine arts. Preface by George Bell, and an appendix on the nervous system by Alexander Shaw. 3d edition, enlarged. London: John Murray.
Bell, Charles. 1870. Letters of Sir Charles Bell, K.H., F.R.S.L. & E., selected from his correspondence with his brother George Joseph Bell. London: John Murray.
Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
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.
ODNB: Oxford dictionary of national biography: from the earliest times to the year 2000. (Revised edition.) Edited by H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison. 60 vols. and index. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2004.
Summary
Encloses a letter from Lady Bell, which should be burnt when read.
Discusses finances.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-8636
- From
- Erasmus Alvey Darwin
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- unstated
- Source of text
- DAR 105: B82–3, DAR 160: 126
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp encl 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8636,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8636.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 20