RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. n.d. Query 12 Laughter. CUL-DAR186.13. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 10.2023. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR186 contains answers to 'Queries about expression' summarised by subject (contempt, good spirits, indignation etc.) and geographically (Australia, Brazil, China etc.), research leading to Expression (F1142).
Darwin's 'Queries about expression' can be found in Darwin 1867, [Darwin] 1867, Darwin 1868, CUL-DAR53.1.B2, CUL-DAR186.1 and Expression pp. 15-16. On these see Freeman and Gautrey 1972, 1975 and Freeman 1977. A later version is in Darwin 1874. See van Wyhe, Comparison of three versions of Darwin's 'Queries about expression'.
[13]
Query 12
Laughter
Australia
No 2 Dyson Lacy – yes.
3 Taplin – yes often, with tears running down cheek
5 Hagenauer yes often tears into the eyes.
8 Bunnett No fits of laughter but no effect
9 Bulmer yes tears in eyes — often —
[in margin:] Red numbers
India
13 H. Erskine yes
14 J. Scott no? from native account roll on ground tears trickling down acct. yes
S. Africa
18 Barber yes — {often run down cheek} especially women Does this copy the Kafirs {yes only applies to Kafirs & Fingoes.
23 Speedy yes —
Natal
26 Kafir yes common practice
China
27 Swinhoe yes
N. America
30 Matthews yes sometimes weep & scream partic women
31 Rottrock sometimes only once, seen; laughter often
Malay
33 Wallace No — not certain
34 Geach yes Malay women yes
35 — seldom
[Expression, p. 209.]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 20 November, 2023