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From Arnold and Carolina Dodel-Port1   8 December 1880

Zürich,

8. December 1880.

Herrn Charles Darwin in Down. | (England.)

Hochgeehrtester Herr!

Vor 2 Tagen erhielt ich unter Kreuzband Ihr durch J. Murray an mich adressirtes Werk: “The power of movement in plants”, welches Exemplar Sie mir zu dediciren die Güte hatten.2 Es ist wohl nicht nothwendig, Sie zu versichern, dass Sie mir durch diese herrliche Gabe eine sehr grosse Freude bereitet haben. Das hier behandelte Thema ist von so grossem Interesse, dass es gewiss nicht nur die Botaniker von Fach, sondern auch Zoologen & Biologen im weiterer Sinne fesseln wird. Mit grossem Vergnügen lesen wir von Zeit zu Zeit in den Zeitungen & Zeitschriften, dass Sie sich trotz der reichen Fülle von Jahren noch munter befinden und es ist unser herzlichster Wunsch, dass es noch recht lange so bleiben möge.

Es sind nun fast 10 Jahre her, seit ich gewagt habe, an der Züricher Universität den Darwinismus zum ersten Mal öffentlich zur Sprache zu bringen. Vorher verhielten sich die berufenen Vertreter der biologischen Disciplinen unserer Hochschule entweder ganz abweisend oder aber indifferent. Ich bin bekanntlich mit meinen Vorlesungen über die neue Lehre auf heftigen und auch auf verkappten heimtückischen Widerstand gestossen.3 Die Gegner aller Farben haben sich damals vereiniget, um mir das Leben und Lehren zum Theil recht sauer zu machen. Fast 10 Jahre lang haben sie mich unterdrückt, weil ich eine lebendige Idee zu vertreten wagte. Ja, die Behörden des eidgenössischen Polytechnicums in Zürich haben mir sogar das Abhalten eines Collegs über Darwinismus verboten, während man an der Hochschule etwas freisinniger handelte.

Im Juni letzthin wurde ich denn auch zum ausserordentlichen Professor der Botanik an der Universität ernannt.4 Bei diesem Anlass hat sich auch herausgestellt, dass der Darwinismus während der letzten 10 Jahre an der Hochschule Boden gewonnen hat. Mit Ausnahme des alten Oswald Heer erklären nun alle Lehrer der Botanik & Zoologie an der Universität und am Polytechnicum dahier, dass sie Darwinianer seien. Sie sehen, dass die Macht der Ideen stärker ist, als das althergebrachte Vorurtheil.

Wir dürfen also jetzt mit dem Stand der Dinge zufrieden sein.

Von unserm “Anatomisch-physiolog: Atlas der Botanik” habe ich Ihnen vor 10 Tagen die IV. Lieferung gesandt, die Sie nun wohl erhalten haben.5 Die Vollendung des Werkes ist—Gesundheit vorausgesetzt—gesichert. Bis Sommer 1882 dürfte der Atlas vollendet sein.6 (Im August 1880 erschien die englische Ausgabe bei Johnston in Edinburgh & London.)7

Unsere besten Wünsche für Ihr Wohlbefinden & unsere Empfehlungen an Sie & Ihren Herrn Sohn, Francis Darwin, Ihren braven Mitarbeiter: | von Ihren dankbarst ergebenen | Dr. A. & C. Dodel-Port

Footnotes

1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
Dodel-Port’s name is on CD’s presentation list for Movement in plants (Appendix IV). The book was sent by CD’s publisher, John Murray.
3
On the reception of Dodel-Port’s early lectures, see Correspondence vol. 22, letter from Arnold Dodel, 13 December 1874.
4
Arnold Dodel-Port had held the position of privat-dozent (lecturer) in botany at Zurich since 1870 (Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz).
5
The plates of the Anatomisch-physiologischer Atlas der Botanik (Anatomical-physiological atlas of botany; Dodel-Port and Dodel-Port 1878[–83]) were published in seven instalments. In the accompanying volume of text, each section is separately paginated, since the plates and text did not appear in the order in which they were numbered. CD’s copy of the work has not been found. Dodel-Port had sent CD the first part of the atlas in June 1878 and mentioned that a publisher might approach him about an English translation (see Correspondence vol. 26, letter from Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 June 1878). CD had promised to recommend a translation of the work ‘in the strongest possible terms’ (ibid., letter to Arnold Dodel-Port, 15 June 1878). Further parts were sent in 1879 (see Correspondence vol. 27, letters to Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 February 1879 and 6 October 1879).
6
The work was completed in 1883; at that time a revised title page for the volume containing the description of the plates was issued with the title, Erläuternder Text zum anatomisch-physiologischen Atlas der Botanik (Illustrated text for the anatomical-physiological atlas of botany).
7
For the English translation, see Dodel-Port and Dodel-Port 1880–3. The cartographical publishing firm W. & A. K. Johnston was based in Edinburgh (Post Office Edinburgh directory).

Bibliography

Dodel-Port, Arnold and Dodel-Port, Carolina. 1878[–83]. Anatomisch-physiologischer Atlas der Botanik für Hoch- und Mittelschulen … in 42 colorirten Wandtafeln nebst Text, sowie 18 Supplement-Blättern für den academischen Unterricht. 1 vol. and atlas. Esslingen am Neckar: J. F. Schreiber.

Dodel-Port, Arnold and Dodel-Port, Carolina. 1880–3. Handbook to … Anatomical & physiological atlas of botany for use in schools and colleges. 7 pts. Text translated and edited by D. M’Alpine. Edinburgh: W. & A. K. Johnston.

Movement in plants: The power of movement in plants. By Charles Darwin. Assisted by Francis Darwin. London: John Murray. 1880.

Post Office Edinburgh directory: Post-Office annual directory and calendar. Post-Office Edinburgh and Leith directory. Edinburgh: Ballantyne & Hughes [and others]. 1845–1908.

Translation

From Arnold and Carolina Dodel-Port1   8 December 1880

Zurich,

8 December 1880.

Mr Charles Darwin in Down. | (England.)

Most esteemed Sir!

Two days ago I received under wrapper the book you addressed to me via J. Murray: “The power of movement in plants”, which copy you were so kind to present to me.2 It is scarcely necessary to assure you that you gave very great pleasure to me with this magnificent gift. The topic dealt with here is of such great interest that it is sure to captivate not only the botanical experts but also zoologists & biologists in the wider sense. With great enjoyment we read from time to time in the newspapers & journals, that despite your great age you are still sprightly and it is our most heartfelt wish that this will continue for quite some time yet.

Almost 10 years have passed since I dared to broach the subject of Darwinism in public for the first time at Zurich University. Until then the qualified representatives of the biological disciplines in our university either dismissed it wholesale or they were indifferent. As you know, my lectures on the new doctrine met with vehement and with secret, malicious resistance.3 At that time, opponents of all hues ganged up to make my life and work occasionally rather difficult. For almost 10 years they oppressed me because I dared advocate a living idea. Indeed, the authorities at the Swiss Polytechnicum in Zurich even banned me from holding a course of lectures on Darwinism, though the university took a slightly more liberal line.

Last June I was finally appointed professor extraordinarius of botany at the university.4 On this occasion it emerged also that over the past 10 years Darwinism had gained ground at the university. With the exception of old Oswald Heer all teachers of botany & zoology here at the university and at the polytechnicum now declare themselves to be Darwinians. You see, the power of ideas is greater than that of traditional prejudice.

Thus, we now can be satisfied with the state of affairs.

Ten days ago I sent you the IV. instalment of our “Anatomisch-physiolog: Atlas der Botanik”, which you have probably received by now.5 The completion of the work is—health permitting—secured. By summer 1882 the Atlas should be finished.6 (In August 1880 the English edition came out with Johnston in Edinburgh & London.)7

With our best wishes for your health & and regards to you & to your son, Francis Darwin, from your loyal collaborators: | most gratefully devoted | Dr. A. & C. Dodel-Port

Footnotes

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original German, see pp. 460–1.
2
Dodel-Port’s name is on CD’s presentation list for Movement in plants (Appendix IV). The book was sent by CD’s publisher, John Murray.
3
On the reception of Dodel-Port’s early lectures, see Correspondence vol. 22, letter from Arnold Dodel, 13 December 1874.
4
Arnold Dodel-Port had held the position of privat-dozent (lecturer) in botany at Zurich since 1870 (Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz).
5
The plates of the Anatomisch-physiologischer Atlas der Botanik (Anatomical-physiological atlas of botany; Dodel-Port and Dodel-Port 1878[–83]) were published in seven instalments. In the accompanying volume of text, each section is separately paginated, since the plates and text did not appear in the order in which they were numbered. CD’s copy of the work has not been found. Dodel-Port had sent CD the first part of the atlas in June 1878 and mentioned that a publisher might approach him about an English translation (see Correspondence vol. 26, letter from Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 June 1878). CD had promised to recommend a translation of the work ‘in the strongest possible terms’ (ibid., letter to Arnold Dodel-Port, 15 June 1878). Further parts were sent in 1879 (see Correspondence vol. 27, letters to Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 February 1879 and 6 October 1879).
6
The work was completed in 1883; at that time a revised title page for the volume containing the description of the plates was issued with the title, Erläuternder Text zum anatomisch-physiologischen Atlas der Botanik (Illustrated text for the anatomical-physiological atlas of botany).
7
For the English translation, see Dodel-Port and Dodel-Port 1880–3. The cartographical publishing firm W. & A. K. Johnston was based in Edinburgh (Post Office Edinburgh directory).

Bibliography

Dodel-Port, Arnold and Dodel-Port, Carolina. 1878[–83]. Anatomisch-physiologischer Atlas der Botanik für Hoch- und Mittelschulen … in 42 colorirten Wandtafeln nebst Text, sowie 18 Supplement-Blättern für den academischen Unterricht. 1 vol. and atlas. Esslingen am Neckar: J. F. Schreiber.

Dodel-Port, Arnold and Dodel-Port, Carolina. 1880–3. Handbook to … Anatomical & physiological atlas of botany for use in schools and colleges. 7 pts. Text translated and edited by D. M’Alpine. Edinburgh: W. & A. K. Johnston.

Movement in plants: The power of movement in plants. By Charles Darwin. Assisted by Francis Darwin. London: John Murray. 1880.

Post Office Edinburgh directory: Post-Office annual directory and calendar. Post-Office Edinburgh and Leith directory. Edinburgh: Ballantyne & Hughes [and others]. 1845–1908.

Summary

Have received Movement in plants. It will interest not only botanists but zoologists and biologists.

Ten years ago AD-P encountered great opposition when he started teaching Darwinism at Zurich. Now all except old Oswald Heer call themselves Darwinists.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-12898
From
Arnold Dodel-Port; Carolina Dodel-Port
To
Charles Robert Darwin
Sent from
Zurich
Source of text
DAR 162: 199
Physical description
ALS 2pp (German)

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12898,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12898.xml

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