Darwin, C. R. 'We do not blush when we give an abject beggar' (1.1839) CUL-DAR195.1.1 Transcribed by Kees Rookmaaker. (<em>Darwin Online</em>, http://darwin-online.org.uk/).

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1.1839. 'We do not blush when we give an abject beggar'. CUL-DAR195.1.1. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/).

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Kees Rookmaaker 4.2010, corrections by John van Wyhe 11.2010. 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-DAR195 contains materials for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions (1872) organised roughly as: DAR195.1 blushing. DAR195.2 astonishment, fear. DAR195.3 indignation, rage, screaming, etc. DAR195.4 laughter, frowning, introduction.

[1]

Jan 12^th 1839

We do not blush when we give an abject beggar (a very modest man) relief if by ourselves; but do so if others are present: — we blush, however, when we give respectable person anything, for then we do think of his thoughts of ourself. —

Compare this note with a line in Expression, p. 334:

For instance, a lady by herself may give money to a beggar without a trace of a blush, but if others are present, and she doubts whether they approve, or suspects that they think her influenced by display, she will blush. So it will be, if she offers to relieve the distress of a decayed gentlewoman, more particularly of one whom she had previously known under better circumstances, as she cannot then feel sure how her conduct will be viewed.

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