RECORD: Anon. 1873. [Review of Expression]. Herald of Health (New York), vol. 1: 135.

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe. 7.2021. RN1


[page] 135

Mr. Darwin's new book. –Whatever may be the ultimate fate of Mr. Darwin's theories  regarding man and his ascent from the animals below him, he certainly makes most instructive and valuable books. The one just issued by D. Appleton & Co., on Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, is no exception. The great charm about his books seems to consist :

1. In the simple, unpretending, modest way in which he writes.

2. And in the great amount of valuable information he imparts

If he advances theories which you do not like, he never forces them on you; but leaves you to decide, as the judge does the jury, on the evidence. It is no wonder that his books sell largely; there is a charm about them never equaled by the best novel. And then you feel after reading his works that you have not only been entertained, but instructed. The work before us contains some 400 pages, divided into fourteen chapters, and treating on the following subjects: General principles of expression, chapters one, two and three; means of expression in man and animals, special expressions of animals, and in man, chapters four and five; low spirits, anxiety, grief, dejection and despair, joy, high spirits, love, tender feelings, devotion, chapters six and seven; meditation, ill-temper, sulkiness, hatred, anger, disdain, contempt, chapters eight and nine; surprise, fear, horror, shame, shyness, blushing, chapters ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen; and in conclusion a summary. The illustrations are numerous and valuable. The book should find a place in every library. It is good reading for old and young.


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

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