From J. M. Herbert 9 October 1881
Rocklands | Ross. | Kerne Bridge Station | Telegrams to Ross
9 Oct. 1881.
My dear Darwin,
Yesterday’s Post brought me a Copy of your Book on Earth Worms from the Publisher, with a label “From the Author”.1 Very many thanks for your kindness in directing it to be sent to me—you could not have sent me a more acceptable gift—and valuing it as I do for its intrinsic interest, I value it still more as a memorial of our old friendship—2
I felt that I ought to write to you a few words of condolence, when some weeks back I saw the announcement of your family sorrow; for I well knew how closely attached you & your brother were to each other—and the arrival of the Book seemed to reproach me for my neglect.3 I am sure he will long be missed & sorrowed for by his intimate friends; for he always seemed to me the kindest, the gentlest, and the most courteous of men— Few alas, of our common Cambridge friends survive. But I can report well to you of Whitley, with whom I spent 4 pleasant days at his Northumberland Parsonage, in the last week in September.4
With my kind regards to Mrs. Darwin,— | believe me, my dear old friend | always yrs | J. M. Herbert
C. Darwin Esq
Footnotes
Bibliography
Alum. Cantab.: Alumni Cantabrigienses. A biographical list of all known students, graduates and holders of office at the University of Cambridge, from the earliest times to 1900. Compiled by John Venn and J. A. Venn. 10 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1922–54.
Earthworms: The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms: with observations on their habits. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881.
Summary
Thanks for Earthworms.
Condolences on death of Erasmus.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13383
- From
- John Maurice Herbert
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Rocklands
- Source of text
- DAR 166: 188
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13383,” accessed on 20 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13383.xml