Darwin Correspondence Project

Shillingford Rectory. | Exeter.

Sept. 27th. 1881

Dear Sir—

Having obtained your address through my son in law Capt. Bogle R.E.—a brother officer of yr. son now quartered at Chatham, I venture on the liberty of asking you a question, not out of idle curiosity, but with a sincere desire to understand the doctrine of Evolution, about which I have read much during the last few years—

Though it seems to me difficult to reconcile ``Evolution'' with the Mosaic record of man being a separate act of Creative power—I do not think that it necessarily involves what are commonly called ``Infidel'' principles— I have learnt by the experience of many years study how differently sincere men interpret various passages of Scripture; and I think how often we misunderstand one another from not endevouring clearly to ascertain what each one really means.

This difficulty has long presented itself to my mind—

How life born of an egg, can evolve life born of a mammal?

If you could at your leisure favour me with a solution of this difficulty, you will oblige, Dear Sir, | Yours faithfully | B. W. Savile | Rector of Shillingford

Charles Darwin Esq