| Detailed reference: |
This earlier publication of F1988 is slightly more complete. See the notes to F1988.
Mr. Darwin on alcohol and tobacco.
A Manchester gentleman, who has for some time been engaged in collect-ing the testimonies of literary and scientific workers as to the influence of alcohol and tobacco in intellectual efforts, lately received the following letter from Mr. Charles Darwin: "Down Beckenham.—Dear Sir,—I drink a glass of wine daily, and believe I should be better without any, though all doctors urge me to drink wine, as I suffer much from giddiness. I have taken snuff all my life, and regret that I ever acquired the habit, which I have often tried to leave off, and have succeeded for a time. I feel sure that it is a great stimulus and aid in my work. I also daily smoke two little pa-per cigarettes of Turkish tobacco. This is not a stimulus, but rests me after I have been compelled to talk, with tired memory, more than anything else. I am 73 years old.—Yours faithfully, CH. DARWIN."
(John van Wyhe) |
