To J. D. Hooker [5 August 1858]1
Norfolk House | Shanklin | I. of Wight
Thursday
My dear Hooker
I shd. think the note apologetical about the style of the abstract was best as note. I shd. hardly have thought the cotton illustration worth a note.—2 But I write now to ask you to send me by return of post the M.S. on big genera, that I may make an abstract of a couple of pages in length.—3 I presume that you have quite done with it; otherwise I would not for anything have it back. If you tie it with string & mark it M.S for printing it will not cost, I shd. think more than 4d.— I shall wish much to say that you have read this M.S. & concur; but you shall before I read it to Socy: hear the sentence.4
What you tell me, after speaking with Busk about length of abstract is an immense relief to me; it will make the labour far less, not having to shorten so much every single subject; but I will try not to be too diffusive.— I fear it will spoil all interest in my Book, whenever published.—5
The abstract will do very well to divide into several parts: thus I have just finished “variation under domestication” in 44 M.S. pages & that would do for one evening: but I shd. be extremely sorry if all could not be published together. What else you say about my abstract pleases me highly, but frightens me, for I fear I shall never be able to make it good enough.— But how I do run on about my own affairs to you!—
I was astonished to see Sir W. Hooker’s card here 2 or 3 days ago: I was unfortunately out walking. Henslow, also, has written to me proposing to come to Down on the 9th,6 but alas I do not return till 13th. & my wife not till week later; so that I am, also, most sorry to think I shall not see you, for I shd. not like to leave home so soon; I had thought of going to London & running down for an hour or two to Kew.—7
I am glad to hear poor Miss Jenyns’ suffering are over for ever.—8
Etty has made a little start forward these few last days, which inspirits us.—
Farewell | Ever yours | C. Darwin
Could I have clean proof to send to Wallace? Did you ask? if not, & you will tell me, I would write to Busk & ask him.
I have just bethought me, that simplest plan wd. be to buy copy of Journal & send it, so that will cost no trouble.—9
Footnotes
Bibliography
Origin: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859.
Variation: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868.
Summary
Working on abstract, which now is to consist of a number of sections each to be read at Linnean Society and to be published as a unit. Has finished section on variation under domestication.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-2313
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Joseph Dalton Hooker
- Sent from
- Shanklin
- Source of text
- DAR 114: 246
- Physical description
- ALS 6pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2313,” accessed on 26 September 2022, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2313.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 7