RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1840. Autograph letter to The Rev. Gilbert Nicolas Smith with wax seal. Carroll4. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by the editors of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin. John van Wyhe confirmed the spelling of 'Greaves' who did indeed have a letter by Buckland read before the Geological Society on 10 June 1840. Reproduced with the kind permission of Angus Carroll and William Huxley Darwin.

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here.

See an introduction to this letter and Darwin seal by Angus Carroll.

[1]

12 Upper Gower St
Friday Nov. 20th

Dear Sir

I have been prevented by continued illness from sooner acknowledging your very obliging communication.

I have now, I am very sorry to say, to make you many apologies for having given you much trouble in vain, for I find

[2]

that on June 10th (after I had left town owing to my state of health) a letter from Mr R. Greaves to Dr. Buckland was read to Soc. briefly describing the caves at Caldy Isd.—

I trust, seeing the cause of this mistake you will excuse it.—

With respect to the Birds beaks, I will when stronger get them examined & should the result be interesting, I will not fail to inform you.— I am not sure, whether I understand rightly, that I may present these beaks to Geolog. Soc in your name.

If you wish them returned to you, will you please to inform me.— and believe me

Dear Sir

Yours obliged

Charles Darwin

Return to homepage

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

File last updated 12 September, 2023