To A. R. Wallace 25 January [1859]
Summary
Expresses pleasure and relief at ARW’s response to joint publication of their pieces about natural selection.
Plans for the "abstract" [Origin].
Birds’ nests as evidence of variation of instincts.
Their collection of bees’ combs.
Praises ARW’s article.
Lyell’s and Hooker’s views [of species issue].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | 25 Jan [1859] |
Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 46434) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2405 |
To A. R. Wallace 6 April 1859
Summary
First part of Origin MS is with Murray;
CD hopes he has noticed ARW’s work fairly.
ARW is right in thinking that CD was led to believe that selection was the principle of change from studying domesticated productions and that after reading Malthus he "saw at once how to apply this principle". Geographical distribution and geological relations of extinct and recent inhabitants of S. America first led him to the subject, "Especially case of Galapagos Islds". Hooker and Lubbock are full converts and Huxley now believes in species mutation. "We shall live to see all the younger men converts."
Praises ARW’s work and spirit.
CD had actually written a letter to ARW stating he would not publish before him but was persuaded by Lyell and Hooker to allow them to act "as they thought fair & honourably".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | 6 Apr 1859 |
Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 46434) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2449 |
To A. R. Wallace 9 August 1859
Summary
Will forward ARW’s "admirable" paper to Linnean Society ["On the zoological geography of the Malay Archipelago", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Zool.) 4 (1860): 172–84].
Discusses geographical distribution of animals in the Malay Archipelago; relation of distribution to depth of sea between islands.
Relation of Celebes to Africa almost passes belief.
Differs wholly from ARW on colonisation of oceanic islands; does not believe in Forbes’s great continental extensions.
Anticipates Owen’s opposition to their views, but "he is a poor reasoner & deeply considers the good opinion of the world, especially the aristocratic world".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | 9 Aug 1859 |
Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 46434) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2480 |
To A. R. Wallace 13 November 1859
Summary
A copy of CD’s book [Origin] has been sent to ARW; invites his comments. "God knows what the public will think". Hooker believes Lyell is a convert, but CD does not think so, although he is "deeply interested". If he can convert Huxley, CD will be content.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | 13 Nov 1859 |
Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 46434) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2529 |
Wallace, A. R. | (4) |