The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Stephen, Leslie. 1882.04.21. Letter to William Erasmus Darwin. CUL-DAR215.7q. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 11.2021. Corrections by Anne Secord 4.2022. RN2

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.

"Stephen, Sir Leslie, 1832-1904. Biographer, author and critic. Editor of DNB. Founder of Sunday Walking Club, nicknamed the "Sunday Tramps". Father of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. 1880 S was amongst the friends who advised CD to ignore Samuel Butler's attack on him. 1878 Nov. 25 ED recorded "Leslie Stephen to lunch". 1881 May 14-16 S stayed. 1882 Jan. 8 S came to Down House on a Sunday tramp. CD enjoyed their visit heartily. 1882 S was on "Personal Friends invited" list for CD's funeral. 1902 KCB. Recollections of CD and ED in Darwin Online." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021)

[7q]

[WED]

13, HYDE PARK GATE SOUTH, S. W.

21.4.82

My dear Mr Darwin,

Perhaps I ought not to intrude upon you just now. I can only express a feeling common to every one who knew your father. But you will let me say in one word that I never knew and in all probability never shall know any human being so deserving at once of affection and veneration. At this moment the memory of his

[7qv]

Kindliness and sweetness of nature is more vividly present to my mind than any thought of his intellectual position.

But I will only say what I cannot help saying

I hope that your mother is as well as it is permitted to hope.

Ever yours sincerely

L. Stephen

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