Geach, F. F. to Darwin, C. R.
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Encloses observations on Malays who have not had communication with Europeans [in answer to CD's queries about expression].
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Transcription
Johore
June. 1867
My dear Sir,
I enclose the result of a few observations on Malays who have not had any communications with Europeans, and beg to assure you I feel a pleasure in making any memoranda that will be of the slightest Assistance.
I feel sorry your queries did not reach me before I visited the Aborigines in
Feby,—nevertheless I shall meet with the difficult parts in time, I have made
a Copy of your letter for my Friend A. E. Hart, Timor, a Gentleman
well known to M
Please inform me if this mode of answering is in accordance with your
19
With best wishes for your improved health. | Yours very truly |
F. F. Geach
C. Darwin Esq.
[Enclosure: 1]
Peninsula of Johore.
June. 1867.
Reply to Queries.
N
" 2. With 3 natives to the breasts.
=I think it covers the whole body=
One Chinese = The whole body
" 3 In 3 or
4 mo
" 4 Corners of the mouth depressed.
Chin in wrinkles.
Frowns, Contracts eye brow.
do Frowns and looks down.
do Brow wrinkles head raised
(Orang Pahang)
"
do— Frowns=
5 )
6 ) I have not had an opportunity of seeing the expressions
7 )
Queries continued
8—Yes
9 )
10) difficult and will take months to answer=
11)
12. Seldom
13. You have beautifully expressed the Native actions
14— yes.
15— yes
16— require more time and better opportunities
17— yes—
1/17—yes=
All from Natives who have NO communication with Europeans=
F. F. Geach
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- f1 5557.f1
The Malay State of Johor was an independent state within the British sphere of influence (Joseph Kennedy 1962, p. 101). The main town is Johor Baharu (Times atlas). - +
- f2 5557.f2
CD had sent Geach a handwritten copy of his queries about expression after receiving his address from Alfred Russel Wallace in March (see letter from A. R. Wallace, 2 March [1867], and letter to A. R. Wallace, 7 March [1867]). This questionnaire has not been found. For a transcript of a later, printed, version of the queries, see Correspondence vol. 15, Appendix IV. CD cited Geach a number of times in Expression for providing information on the Malay people and Chinese immigrants in Malacca (now Melaka). See also Correspondence vol. 16, letter from F. F. Geach, April 1868. - +
- f3 5557.f3
Wallace had met A. E. Hart in Delli (now Dili), east Timor, in 1861. He wrote of him: `He is what you may call a speculative man: he reads a good deal, knows a little and wants to know more, and is fond of speculating on the most abstruse and unattainable points of science and philosophy' (Marchant ed. 1916, 1: 79). No reply from Hart has been found in the Darwin Archive--CUL, and he is not cited in Expression. - +
- f4 5557.f4
Geach refers to a paragraph at the end of CD's questionnaire where CD wrote: `General remarks on expression are of comparatively little value; and memory is so deceptive that I earnestly beg it may not be trusted.' - +
- f5 5557.f5
Peninsula of Johore: i.e. mainland Johore, not including Singapore. - +
- f6 5557.f6
See n. 2, above. - +
- f7 5557.f7
Orang Pahang: a person from Pahang. Pahang was an independent Malay State (Joseph Kennedy 1962, p. 135).