Search Results
Click on green bar to expand summary; 'direct' to go straight to entry. * indicates transcription available.
Results will be restricted to set Set: Conduct Of Debate.
direct »Letter 7718a — Darwin, C. R. to Mivart, St G. J., 21 Apr [1870]
On amount of modification and lines of descent in determining the position in man. Reference to StGJM's article "On the appendicular skeleton of the primates" Phil. Trans. R. Soc. [157 (1867): 299–430], and his [and James Murie's] article on lemurs ["On the anatomy of Lemuroidea"] Trans. Zool. Soc. [7 (1872): 1–114].
direct »Letter 7170 — Mivart, St G. J. to Darwin, C. R., 22 Apr 1870
Is not prepared to express an opinion on man's origin. On pure anatomical grounds he would form a family of the higher division of the primates, but if man's intellectual, moral, and religious nature is considered, then "he differs more from an Anthropoid Ape than such an Ape differs from a lump of granite".
direct »Letter 7171 — Darwin, C. R. to Mivart, St G. J., 23 Apr [1870]
Thanks StGJM for prompt answer correcting inaccuracies in CD's notes on StGJM's opinions. Expects "universal disapprobation" when he publishes Descent.
direct »Letter 7173 — Mivart, St G. J. to Darwin, C. R., 25 Apr 1870
Apologises for saying more than was necessary in his previous letter. Although he feels gratitude and esteem for CD, he execrates those who use natural selection to oppose man's higher interests and impede his advance. Has seen Huxley's Man's place in nature for sale among a crowd of obscenities at most Italian railway stations.
direct »Letter 7227 — Mivart, St G. J. to Darwin, C. R., 11 June 1870
Asks by what action CD believes bee, spider, and fly orchids came to resemble their namesakes and how the beauty of bivalves could have been produced by natural or sexual selection.
direct »Letter 7228a — Darwin, C. R. to Mivart, St G. J., 13 June [1870]
In his reply to [7227] CD questions the significance of the supposed likeness of the bee, spider, and fly orchids to their presumed namesakes. He thinks that the beauty of shells is altogether incidental and of no use to the animals.
direct »Letter 7447 — Mivart, St G. J. to Darwin, C. R., 19 Jan 1871
Has sent CD his book [Genesis of species (1871)]. Has not said a word in opposition to CD except where his view of the truth necessitated it.
direct »Letter 7450a — Darwin, C. R. to Mivart, St G. J., 21 Jan [1871]
Is obliged for StGJM's book [On the genesis of species (1871)]. Would not have sent him vol. 1 [of Descent] if he had known that StGJM's book was already published.
direct »Letter 7448 — Darwin, C. R. to Hooker, J. D., 21 Jan [1871]
Finished the last proofs of Descent a few days ago. "I shall be well abused." St George Mivart's Genesis [of species]: very good, unfortunately theological. Will tell heavily against natural selection but not against evolution, and this is "infinitely more important".
direct »Letter 7425 — Darwin, C. R. to Darwin, Francis, [after 21 Jan 1871]
Responds to Mivart's Genesis of species. "I complain of his incessently speaking as if I trusted exclusively to natural selection … Mivart speaks in many places as if I entirely ignored the direct action of external conditions". Answers some of Mivart's particular criticisms. Suggests FD read the letter to Marlborough Robert Pryor, as Pryor will never be able to read it himself.