To F. B. White [after 11 June 1879]1
Dear Sir—
I have a strong opinion that no man ought to give a Testimonial, without a full knowledge of the acquirements of the person whom he recommends. Now I do not at all know how far you are acquainted with the intern & extern & of the Vertebrata, or which it is perhaps still more important of the lower invertebrate classes, with the exception of Insects.2
Therefore, though I think very highly of your paper on St Helena,3 & I do not doubt about the value of your Entomology work, I do not feel justified in sending you a testimony, though I I can truly say that you have my good wishes for your success
Pray excuse me & believe me | Yours faithfully | C. D.
Footnotes
Bibliography
White, Francis Buchanan. 1878. Contributions to a knowledge of the hemipterous fauna of St. Helena, and speculations on its origin. [Read 7 May 1878.] Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (1878): 444–77.
Summary
Does not feel he knows enough of FBW to offer his opinion as a testimonial.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-12104
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Francis Buchanan White (Francis) (Buchanan) White
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 202: 129v
- Physical description
- ADraftS 1p
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12104,” accessed on
