The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Derby, Edward. 1882.04.23. Letter to William Erasmus Darwin. CUL-DAR215.9a. 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. 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-DAR215 contains material on Darwin's funeral, obituaries & related correspondence, & on Darwin's LL.D. degree. 1877-1906.

"Stanley, Edward Henry, 15th Earl of Derby, 1826-93. Statesman. Of Knowsley Hall. 1848-69 MP. 1859 FRS. 1882 S was a Pallbearer at CD's funeral. Recollection of CD in The Times, 1 Oct., 1883. Transcribed in Darwin Online." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021) A1100

[9a]

April 23/82

Dear Sir,

Your and your brothers' letter reached me only last night, owing to absence from home. I accept readily and with gratitude the honorable though melancholy office which you assign to me, and shall be at the Abbey on Wednesday, at the appointed time.

I do not venture to intrude before you with words of condolence. The loss which you

[9av]

have sustained is shared by the whole civilised world: the name which you bear is as nearly imperishable as anything human can be.

I count it as one of the highest distinctions of my life to have been honored with the friendship of your father.

And I remain

Sincerely yours

Derby

W. E. Darwin Esq.

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