From H. C. Watson to George Gordon 19 September 1860
Thames Ditton
19 Sept 60
My dear Sir
I took the liberty of giving your address to Mr. Darwin, anxiously inquiring how he could procure some living examples of Goodyeræ.—1 His name would doubtless be known to you, & more favourably than any introduction by me. But you will perhaps still allow me to express sincere thanks for your kindness in so promptly responding to his application.2 He seems highly pleased with the successfulness of his application.—3
Mr. D. takes immensity of pains in putting his theoretic views to the test of observation & experiment; &, as a true seeker of truth, deserves all help & encouragement, whether or not we adopt his theoretic views.— The more I cogitate on those views, the more I feel that there must be some fallacy or insufficiency which vitiates ideas partly sound & important. ‘Natural Selection’ is a fact, & a vera causa. Can it operate to the extent Darwin contends?—or, is it not also checked and counterbalance by some other provision or prevision?4
Yours, Red Sir, | Very truly | Hewett C. Watson
The Revd | G. Gordon
Footnotes
Summary
HCW thanks GG for responding so promptly to CD’s application for assistance.
Wonders whether natural selection can operate to the extent CD contends.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-2921F
- From
- Hewett Cottrell Watson
- To
- George Gordon
- Sent from
- Thames Ditton, Surrey
- Source of text
- Elgin Museum (Gordon Archive 60.15)
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2921F,” accessed on 18 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2921F.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 13 (Supplement)