RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Spencer, Essays, Scientific, Political, and Speculative. CUL-DAR195.4.95. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 6.2022. 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.
[95]
Laughter
H. Spencer 2d Essays p 110 (2d series) good notes
(p. 119 for Introduction) Hist sketch.
[Expression, p. 9: "Mr. Spencer has also published10 a valuable essay on the Physiology of Laughter, in which he insists on 'the general law that feeling passing a certain pitch, habitually vents itself in bodily action;' and that 'an overflow of nerve-force undirected by any motive, will manifestly take first the most habitual routes; and if these do not suffice, will next overflow into the less habitual ones.'
10 'Essays, Scientific, Political, and Speculative,' Second Series, 1863, p. 111. There is a discussion on Laughter in the First Series of Essays, which discussion seems to me of very inferior value."]
[95v]
Man
After a few words on commonest or habitual movements, — winking then add few words on antithesis —
Tylor — affirmative & negation — perhaps [illeg] acquired like Language
(Commencement of Man)
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022