RECORD: Middleton, Robert Morton jr. to Francis Darwin. 1882.09.28. CUL-DAR198.143. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 2.2026. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library. The folder CUL-DAR198 contains letters, mostly to Francis Darwin, regarding his appeals for letters from Darwin in order to create Life and letters (1887).
"Robert Morton Middleton 1846–1909 Banker and naturalist. Spent part of his career in the United States, returning to England in 1896. Afterwards, spent two years in Chile on behalf of the Church Missionary Society where he collected plants; returned in 1907. Employed temporarily at the Botanical Department of the Natural History Museum, where he placed his collection of Chilean plants." Correspondence
See also Middleton to Francis Darwin 6 July 1882 in CUL-DAR198.142
[143]
Middleton
28 Sep:. 1882.
HUDWORTH COTTAGE
CASTLE EDEN,
Co: DURHAM.
My dear sir,
I beg leave to hand you the enclosed copy of an interesting old letter of your late Father's which has just been sent to me.
You will be the best judge as to the authenticity of the quotation given in the "Dundee Advertiser."
[143v]
of Monday last, which I also enclose. If, as I am inclined to suspect, the alleged letter is a forgery, it might be well that the fact should be made known.
I have a fine collection of autographs, & make a speciality of the gathering of scientific letters. If any more of Mr Darwin's should reach me, I will
[143b]
not fail to send you copies.
I hope you got some interesting notes from Mr Leighton.
Believe me,
Ever me,
My dear Sir,
Very truly yrs,
R. Morton Middleton
If you could spare me a letter of Mr G.H. Darwin's F.R.S. whose Theory of the Tides has interested me much, I shd feel very much obliged; but pray do not trouble to ask for one.
R.M.M Jr.
Fras. Darwin, Esq, F.R.S.
Presumably Leighton, W. A. [c.1881]. [Recollections of Darwin]. Text CUL-DAR112.B94-B98
[143c]
[clipping from Dundee Advertiser:]
At a time when priests of various creeds are claiming Mr Darwin for their own it is interesting to have from his pen and authentic statement regarding his views on revelation. This was communicated by Mr Darwin in answer to an inquiry from a young student at Jena, in whom the study of Darwin's book had raised religious doubts and the letter has only now been made public. "Science and Christ," he says, "have nothing to do with each other except in as far as the habit of scientific investigation makes a man cautious about accepting any proofs. As far as I am concerned I do not believe that any revelation has ever been made. With regard to a future life, every one must draw his own conclusion from vague and contradictory probabilities."
Darwin, C. R. 1882. Mr. Darwin and revelation. Pall Mall Gazette (23 September): 2. Text
[143d]
[clipping from Dundee Advertiser:]
THE DUNDEE ADVERTISER MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1882.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 27 February, 2026