From C. E. Södling 14 October 1881
V. Consulado de España Westerwik, Sweden
81.
Hon. Sir!
In my youth as a boy (I’m now past 62) it appeared for my mind: that the creation has gone just the very same way as you has proved before the world to be the case.— But never I could expect the worthy Asses of having such a fine musical ear, viz. as your description, about those in Buenos Ayres— —though I’ve been there during seven years.1
Being scarcely an amateur in natural history, after a very limited study of anatomy, I love and admire it—and as a natural consequence you’ll receive the same kind of feelings.
In those of your works which has come under my eyes, I never saw any thing mentioned about a monstrous shape of woman, whose likeness I inclose. One may consider her as the world famous “Darwin’s lost link” .... If, as easily may be the case I’m mistaking of it not being mentioned, it may be pardoned.2
I got yesterday a letter from my friend and your admirer, Dr A. W. Malm in Gotenburg. He is as generally in good spirit and health, having recently been nominated “Professor”.3
As I have no kind of vanity to come in contact with celebrated men and get their autographs &c &c, there is no need of giving me any answer. If you should happen to have “The Atheneum” 1856, Jan. 19, you might se something about me.—4 One thing I can’t resist saying: I’d give one year of my life for one hours conversation with you.—
Most respectfully and | With admiration Yours truly | C. E. Södling
Ch. Darwin, Professor &c &c
Footnotes
Bibliography
Beer, Gillian. 1996. Open fields: science in cultural encounter. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Howitt, Mary. 1856. Supposed traces of ancient Scandinavians in South America. Athenæum, 19 January 1856, p. 75.
Journal of researches (1860): Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of HMS Beagle around the world, under the command of Capt. FitzRoy RN. By Charles Darwin. Reprint edition. London: John Murray. 1860.
SBL: Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Edited by Bertil Boëthius et al. 33 vols. and 4 fascicles of vol. 34 (A–Swenson) to date. Stockholm: Albert Bonnier and P. A. Norstedt. 1918–.
Summary
Sends a likeness [missing] of a monstrous woman who may be considered as "Darwin’s lost link".
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13157
- From
- Carl Erik Södling
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- V. Consulado de España, Westerwik
- Source of text
- DAR 177: 216
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13157,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13157.xml