[title page]

THOMAS WOOLNER, R.A

SCULPTOR AND POET

HIS LIFE IN LETTERS

WRITTEN BY HIS DAUGHTER

AMY WOOLNER

NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY

681 FIFTH AVENUE
1917

[page] 283

Charles Darwin to T. Woolner

Down, Bromley,

Kent, S.E.,

March 10 [1869].

My dear Mr. Woolner,

Very many thanks for the drawing: it does excellently—The "Woolnerian tip" is worth anything to me.

Yours very sincerely,

Ch. Darwin.

The infolded point of the human ear discovered by Woolner, described in the Descent of Man. It was when modelling his "Puck" Woolner noticed the little pointed tips that are seen in so many ears, and he exaggerated these in the statuette to a fawn-like ear giving an impish look. When Mr. Darwin sat to him he imparted to the great Naturalist his ideas on his discovery.

W. E. Darwin to T. Woolner

Southampton,

June 7 [1869?].

Dear Mr. Woolner,

The Medallion has come quite safe. It makes a remarkably fine medallion and I like it very much—I am sure it cannot give the Wedgwoods much trouble. I do not know whether I should send this to the Wedgwoods or whether the original you have should go to them, or the reversed cast.

Yours very truly,

W. E. Darwin.

[page] 284

[page] 288

Charles Darwin to T. Woolner

Down, Beckenham,

Kent, S.E.,

April 7 [1871].

My dear Mr. Woolner,

I daresay you often meet & know well painters. Could you persuade some trustworthy men to observe young & inexperienced girls who serve as models, & who at first blush much, how low down the body the blush extends. . . . Moreau says a celebrated French painter once saw a new model blushing all over her body. So that I want much to hear what the experience is of cautious & careful English artists: I always distrust memory—can you aid me?

The tips to the ears have become quite celebrated. One Reviewer (Nature) says they ought to be called, as I suggested in joke, Angulus Woolnerianus.

A great German physiologist is very proud to find that he has the tips well developed & I believe will send me a photograph of his ears; & if a good case, I think I would have it photographed on wood engraved for new Edit. Making of course no change in my text.

Yours very sincerely,

Ch. Darwin.

[page] 840

LIST OF WORKS

1869.

Charles Darwin. Medallion. (Wedgwood.)

1870. 
Charles Darwin. Bust, marble.