To W. T. Thiselton-Dyer 16 December [1875]1
2 Bryanston St
Dec. 16th
Dear Dyer
I report progress— Saw T. H. Farrer & G. B. Sowerby both strong & will attend.—2
Had a discussion of nearly an hour with Mr Butler.—3 He did not own to blackballing, but as good as confessed— said all were very sorry for R. Lankester, but felt bound to do so to show disapproval of Council—4 could give no sound reason.— I do not know how far I influenced him anyhow he knows what I think.
Saw Mrs Maskelyne & she will speak to her father Mr Dillwyne5 & others & get them to attend.
Went to Zoolog. Soc, just as Council was breaking up & had the impudence to harangue the whole party.— Sclater, Salvin, Newton, Mr Hudson & I think others will all do what they can & will attach their names to Lankester’s certificate & attend—6
Sclater will discuss matter at Philosophical Club.—7 They were all very strong against blackballers.— I go on plan, of saying I do not know or care whether Council was right or wrong, but that it was atrocious to blackball Lankester.
If my strength lasts out (for I was very tired yesterday,) will see Flower, & Bates & Ramsay & get them to attack others belonging to their set.—8 Will write to Murie & Lowne today9
Yr— —— | C. Darwin
Tell Hooker how I get on.—10
Footnotes
Bibliography
Bonney, T. G. 1919. Annals of the Philosophical Club of the Royal Society written from its minute books. London: Macmillan.
Summary
Discusses blackballing of E. R. Lankester [at Linnean Society]. Reports on his attempts to persuade other Fellows to support Lankester’s election.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-10299
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- William Turner Thiselton-Dyer
- Sent from
- London, Bryanston St, 2
- Source of text
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Thiselton-Dyer, W.T., Letters from Charles Darwin 1873–81: 50–1)
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 10299,” accessed on 31 March 2023, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-10299.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 23