To T. H. Farrer 7 [March 1880]1
6 Queen Anne St.
Sunday 7th.
My dear Farrer.
I have thought that you would like to see enclosed copy of letter received by Sir J. Lubbock. but I suppose it is vox et præterea nihil.2
I had despatched a letter to Torbitt before receiving Mr Caird’s, but it did not signify as I was able to send another by same post. explaining why Mr. C was obliged to withdraw to a certain extent.3
Hensleigh who was present offered to subscribe 10£ & Erasmus 25£4 so that 110£ is assured with your generous offer of 25£; & I suppose Mr C. will get something
Hensleigh & Erasmus strongly advise me to write to Times during Easter recess, describing what Mr. T has done & what is wanted— I am not sanguine of success. & dislike much the thought of writing to any paper; but I would do so if thought advisable.— If I could get 400 or 500£ I would pay per year to Mr T so as to make it last 2 years—& he would then raise several thousand new varieties— Will you tell me at Down what you think.— Hensleigh was strong that if I did write I should insert subscriptions promised; if Mr Caird subscribes anything himself, & would allow me to use his name it would be a tower of strength. & would insure insertion of letter in Times.— I would of course, if you think fit, send any letter which I might write for your approval.— I have written to Mr Torbitt for various particulars & asking him whether he would object to my writing to Times—that is if I screwed my courage up. & I told him that I should first consult you.5
I had hoped never to trouble you again. | Yours very sincerely. Ch. Darwin.
Mr. T. writes that about rd. of his tubers are sprouting & ought to be planted next week & he can now do this.—6
P.S. In case I do write to Times, the letters which I wrote to you & which you sent me might come in of use, so will you send it me to Down.7
[Enclosure]
Board of Trade
5th Mar. 1880
Copy of letter from Lord Sandon’s secretary to Sir J Lubbock—
Sir,
I am directed by Lord Sandon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s date.8
Lord Sandon wishes me to say that he will carefully consider the subject to which you refer.
I am Sir | your obedient servant | T. W. P. Blomefield9
Footnotes
Summary
Describes subscription for Torbitt [to continue potato experiments]. Would dislike writing to any paper, but Hensleigh [Wedgwood] and Erasmus [Darwin] advise CD to write to the Times.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-12523
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Thomas Henry Farrer, 1st baronet and 1st Baron Farrer
- Sent from
- London, Queen Anne St, 6
- Source of text
- DAR 144: 101; DAR 177: 340
- Physical description
- C 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12523,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12523.xml