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To F. E. Abbot   15 April 1880

Summary

Thanks FEA for copy of a review of a book on evolution by "an ignorant lawyer".

Sends £5 for Index subscription.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  15 Apr 1880
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Letter, C. R. Darwin to F. E. Abbot (15 April 1880), in folder Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-12577

To F. E. Abbot   27 May [1871]

Summary

CD is surprised and gratified by the interest in his views in America.

Has read the extract from the Liberal Christian sent by FEA and also Truths for the times, which he admires.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  27 May [1871]
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-7771

To F. E. Abbot   6 June [1871]

Summary

Sends subscription for the Index.

FEA’s article ["The intuitional and scientific schools of free religion", Index 15 Apr 1871] is one of the most striking CD has read.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  6 June [1871]
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-7804

To F. E. Abbot   6 September [1871]

Summary

CD’s views [on religion] are far from clear. He cannot make up his mind how far an inward conviction that there must be some Creator or First Cause is really trustworthy evidence. Does not feel he has thought deeply enough to express himself publicly on religion.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  6 Sept [1871]
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-7924

To F. E. Abbot   16 November [1871]

Summary

Explains why he must decline to write for the Index: his health is poor and he has never systematically thought much on religion. FEA may print his comments, "with qualifications", if he wishes.

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  16 Nov [1871]
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-8070

To F. E. Abbot   8 January 1872

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Summary

CD is grateful for the eulogy in Index [no. 104]. Many would disagree. It is the fashion to say he is a good observer with "an utterly illogical mind".

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  8 Jan 1872
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-8151

To F. E. Abbot   2 July 1872

Summary

Renews subscription to Index.

Was interested in FEA’s lecture on "The God of science" [Index 24 Feb 1872].

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  2 July 1872
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-8401

To F. E. Abbot   30 March 1874

Summary

FEA has expressed CD’s views on the moral sense with remarkable clearness and correctness; his eulogy is magnificent ["Darwin’s theory of conscience and its relation to scientific ethics", Index 12 Mar 1874]. Cannot give a judgment on the essay because he has had "no practice in following abstract and abstruse reasoning".

CD does not see how morality can be "objective and universal". No one would call the maternal bond in lower animals a "moral obligation". When a social animal "becomes in some slight incipient degree" a moral creature "capable of approving or disapproving of its own conduct" do not such obligations remain of a so-called instinctive nature rather than becoming at once moral obligations?

Author:  Charles Robert Darwin
Addressee:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Date:  30 Mar 1874
Classmark:  Harvard University Archives (Papers of F. E. Abbot, 1841–1904. Named Correspondence, 1857–1903. Folder: Darwin, Charles and W. E. Darwin (son), 1871–1883, box 44. HUG 1101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-9377

From F. E. Abbot   15 May 1880

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Summary

Thanks for money for further subscription to Index; FEA soon to step down as editor.

On CD’s solid reputation in America among rising men of science.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  15 May 1880
Classmark:  DAR 159: 6
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-12607

From F. E. Abbot   11 May 1871

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Summary

Wishes to inform CD that, contrary to CD’s impression, natural selection is widely accepted in U. S. by educated men; encloses copies of his lectures, papers, and the Index.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  11 May 1871
Classmark:  DAR 159: 1
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-7753

From F. E. Abbot   20 August 1871

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Summary

Thanks CD for interest in FEA’s work and for money for Index. Sends 1870 volume of Index.

Praises CD’s services to free-thought.

Asks for CD’s view of the influence of his theory on religion, to use in lecture.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  20 Aug 1871
Classmark:  DAR 159: 2
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-7912

From F. E. Abbot   1 November 1871

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Summary

For CD’s approval, cites passage from CD note he wants to quote in a lecture;

pleads for CD’s moral support for FEA’s work in free-thought movement.

Sends $50 [dollars or pounds!?] because he wants CD to become regular contributor to Index.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  1 Nov 1871
Classmark:  DAR 159: 3
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-8043

From F. E. Abbot   18 July 1872

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Summary

Thanks CD for five dollars and two-year subscription to Index, and for permission to quote CD’s compliments on Truths for the times.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  18 July 1872
Classmark:  DAR 159: 4
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-8417

From F. E. Abbot   3 March 1874

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Summary

Asks CD to read and comment, for publication, on his forthcoming essay in Index on the evolution of conscience and morals through action and reaction between man and the moral environment.

Author:  Francis Ellingwood Abbot
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  3 Mar 1874
Classmark:  DAR 159: 5
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-9332
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1871 (7)
1872 (3)
1874 (2)
1880 (2)