Darwin Correspondence Project

Broadlands | Sandown | I. Wight

Ap 21

My dear Darwin

As I feared was the case, I have no letters or papers of your Gt Grandfather of any interest. They have been kept merely for the handwriting—and one for Hooping Cough.

I think there is an interesting paper upon Dr Dn in the Encyclopædia Britannica which yr Father might like to look over. Dr E Darwin has so freely been called an Atheist &c. that some of his Poems may be cited in answer. Do you know this ode—entitled

``The Folly of Atheism'' Beginning

``Dull Atheist! could a giddy dance

Of atoms lawless hurled,

Construct so wonderful, so wise

So harmonized a World''

It is not one that would quite suit the German Mind.

It is said that Coleridge, after an interview with him, said, ``he was a wonderful man—& any thing but a Christian''— or some such expression.

I wish much I could be of any use to your Father, but I am a generation too late.

I have often heard my Father & Mother talk of him.

There is one very remarkable story which I have often heard from my Father, as shewing the Drs. great sagacity & Daring.

I believe my Father was of the party. At Mr Joseph Strutts a Dinner party was assembled at which the Dr was present—when Mr Strutt asked him to see his Butler who was said to be dying. He found him on the point of suffocation from Lung disease—& fast dying— He sent for a Kettle of Boiling water—bared the mans breast & poured it over Lungs. The effect was magical at the time—& the man got well.

I dont know what our Modern Drs would say to this mild practise.

I hope your Father will give himself time to really look into the Drs life. There are many works which touch upon it more or less—many very unfairly.

In much haste Yours very truly | W D Fox We are just off into Warwickshire for a fortnight.