To Francis Galton 10 November [1875]¹

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

Nov. 10^th night

My dear Galton

I have this minute finished your article in Fraser & I do not think I ever read anything more curious in my life.² It is enough to make one a Fatalist. I am in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles if it is possible to muddle.³ But after all he does not write so odiously as I did in my letter, which you received so beautifully.⁴ I sh^d be glad to be convinced that the obscurity was all in my head, but I cannot think so, for a clear-headed (clearer than I am) member of my family read the article & was as much puzzled as I was— To this minute I cannot realise what are “developed” “sterile” & fertile germs.—⁵ You are a real Christian if you do not hate me for ever & ever.—

I shall try you when we come to London in a month or six weeks time, as I want to ask a question about averages, which can be asked in a minute or two, but w^d. fill a long letter.—

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

PS. As soon as I am sure that no more pods of Sweet Peas will ripen, I will send all the bags in a Box per Railway to you.—⁶

Footnotes

1

The year is established by the reference to Galton 1875a (see n. 2, below).

2

Galton’s article on twins was published in Fraser’s Magazine (Galton 1875a).

3

A critical review of Galton 1875a was published in the Spectator, 6 November 1875, pp. 1387–9.

4

CD had commented on a proof copy of Galton’s article ‘A theory of heredity’ (Galton 1875b) in his letter of 7 November [1875]. See also letter from Francis Galton, 8 November 1875.

5

See letter to Francis Galton, 7 November [1875] and n. 3.

6

See letter to Francis Galton, 7 November [1875] and n. 8.