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42 DARWIN, CHARLES English scientist

A.L.S., 7 3/4 pages, 8vo, Down, Beckinham, Kent, Feb. (17, 1870).  

Amazing letter by the originator of the theory of evolution, constituting virtually an autobiography, penned to a scientist who had praised Darwin's work.

[To W. T. Preyer17 February [1870]]

"...Although your appreciation of my work is certainly too high, yet it is very encouraging to me, especially as yesterday I rec'd two pamphlets, just published in England, in which every form of abuse is heaped upon me. I am called...a 'filthy dreamer.'—You seem to be doing splendid work in physiology, the noblest of sciences...What you say about the differences of the Rock-crystals is truly astonishing. I am also much interested in what you say of the different effect of...acid on different individuals of the same species..."

Darwin proceeds with a discussion of the effect upon insects of the poison and its vapors,

"... I remember Bees died instantly, but (I think) it was a Longihorn beetle which resisted all effects for an astonishing time—"R. W. Darwin is my Father, but I believe he was greatly aided in his paper on Optics by his Father, Erasmus Darwin..."

Darwin discusses his early education and career in detail, naming Dr. Grant as a professor who had great influence upon him. "... I believe I was the first person who ever saw the earliest locomotive egg-like state of a Bryozoon. I showed it to Grant...at the meeting of the Wernerian Nat. Hist. Soc. & this little discovery was a new encouragement. I was disgusted at anatomy & attended only 2 or 3 Lectures & this has been ever since an irreparable loss to me.—When I went to Cambridge, I became a most enthusiastic collector of Coleoptera; but again only for amusement. If anyone told me the name of a Beetle, I thought I knew all that anyone could desire; & I believe that I never even looked at the oral organs of any insect! Yet I worked like a slave at collecting. Henslow's society was a great charm & benefit to me, & I liked much his Lectures on Botany. All my early life I was mad for collecting minerals, shells, plants, Birds...I was always very fond of observing the habits of Birds, & White's Nat. Hist....thus had much influence on my mind. But of all books, Humboldt's...treatises had by far the greatest influence—I read large parts over & over again.—I had merely managed to get a party to go to the Canary Isles when the offer of joining the Beagle was made to me & joyfully accepted...no one started worse prepared than I was except as a mere collector. I knew nothing of anatomy, & had never had any intensive work in Zoology—I had never touched a compound microscope & had begun Geology for only about 6 months. But I took out plenty of Books & worked as hard as I could & dissected...all sorts of the lower marine animals. There I felt fearfully the want of practice & knowledge. My education in part began on board the Beagle. I remember nothing previously which deserved to be called education except some experimental work at Chemistry when a school-boy with my Brother.—No doubt collecting largely in so many branches had improved my power of observation. I never wrote so much about myself in my life..."

Darwin makes repeated references to his mentor, John Stevens Henslow, English botanist and author of the Dictionary of Botanical Terms. The most revealing letter of Darwin ever to be offered at auction and, except for very slight soiling, in fine condition. As Darwin comments, "I never wrote so much about myself in my life ..."

See Illustration.

165 Darwin, Charles English scientist

A.L..S., 1 full page, small 8vo, no place or date. (160.00)

Striking, brief holograph letter, mentioning his famous work, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. "I am much obliged for your kind & flattering letter.—I have copied the last sentence of the 'Origin,' which I hope will do..."Fine, ideal for framing or display.