Darwin, C. R. to Gaudry, A. J.
- +
Thanks AG for his essay on geology and Athenian history [see 5784].
- +
Comments on French rejection of evolution. "How strange that the country of Buffon, Geoffroy and especially Lamarck should now cling to species as immutable creations."
- +
Variation will soon appear in French.
Summary Add
Transcription
Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.
Jan 21—
Dear Sir
I thank you for your interesting essay on the influence of the Geological features of the country on the mind & habits of the ancient Athenians, & for your very obliging letter.
I am delighted to hear that you intend to consider the relations of
fossil animals in connection with their genealogy,; it will afford you
a fine field for the exercise of your extensive knowledge & powers of
reasoning. Your belief will, I suppose at present, lower you in the
estimation of your countrymen; but, judging from
the rapid spread in all parts of Europe, excepting France, of the
belief in the common descent of allied species, I must think that
this belief will before long become universal. How strange it is
that the country which gave birth to Buffon, the elder
Geoffroy & especially to Lamarck sh
My work on Variation &c under Domestication will appear in a French translation in a few months time, & I will do myself the pleasure & honour of directing the publisher to send a copy to you to the same address as this letter.
With sincere respect | I remain dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin
- +
- f1 5794.f1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from Albert Gaudry, 11 January 1868. - +
- f2 5794.f2
See letter from Albert Gaudry, 11 January 1868 and n. 2. - +
- f3 5794.f3
See letter from Albert Gaudry, 11 January 1868 and n. 3. - +
- f4 5794.f4
CD refers to Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon, Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck. On the reception of CD's work in France, see Stebbins 1988 and J. Harvey 1997. - +
- f5 5794.f5
A French translation of Variation was published in 1868 (Moulinié trans. 1868); the first volume appeared at the end of March (letter from C.-F. Reinwald, 26 March 1868). On the preparation of the translation, see Correspondence vol. 15. Gaudry's name appears on the presentation list for the French edition (see Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix IV).