[1]

[annotated: "Admiral Fitzroy"]

1 Parliament Street

Nov. 29. 1859

Sir

I am honoured by the letter received from you just now: and I thank you cordially for it.

The champions of ships' magnetism are so well able to take their own

Hepworth Dixon Esq.

[annotated: "(1821-1879 Editor of the Athenaeum)"]

[2]

own part, and do good public service by their honourable emulation— that no others, however prepared, neer interfere in the present tournament.

While you are (I should say) arbiter verum — the judge or marshal of the lists who will cast down his baton —my brother "practicus" and I look on eagerly

[3]

eagerly at the contest between two first rate mathematicians.

Sabine, alas, is now too infirm to take his part — and still less Herschel.

I wish some M.S. notes on the so called "celts" had been sent to you, instead of to the editor of the Times —on the 19th instant — (before I had seen Professor Henslow's letter in the Athenæum

[4]

Athenæum of that day.)

I first confident of their value (in the cause of truth) but on copy was kept by me —and, as yet, they have not appeared.—

Perhaps there were too much in accordance with the spirit of that incomparable critique (of Nov. 19) on my poor friend and five years messmate Charles Darwin.

Remarkably—I had just glanced at his book, the day

[5]

day before that Athenæum appeared — and at once wrote to express my alarm at his extreme views.— I noticed a few salient points, (also remarked in the critique) and ended by saying— "My dear old friend—I, at least, cannot find anything "ennobling" in the reflection that thought of being a descendant of even the most ancient Ape". He has not replied.

[6]

I presume that Darwin's whole time for some years has been so much engrossed by his own avocations — his pigeon and rabbit breeding and his microscopic investigations — that he has scarcely used a telescope — for a wide range, and comprehensive view — has hardly read the works of later

[7]

Authorities—except those bits of them which he could use in his own work. This used to be his habit—and the consequence was partial instead of fair results.

I will try to recover my "celtic" paper — (some half dozen MS. Pages) from the Times —and, if I can obtain it —will send

[8]

It for the perusal of yourself —or the writer of that critique — or Professor Henslow —as you may please.

I am sorry to find Huxley — Tyndall & a few young savans inclined to side with C. Darwin — etiam in extremis.

I have the honour to be

Very respectully

Robert FitzRoy

[annotated: "Commanded HMS Beagle & sometime Governor of New Zealand"]