To Armand de Quatrefages 5 December [1859]
Down Bromley Kent [Ilkley]
Dec. 5th
Dear Sir
Had I not been much engaged lately, I should have thanked you earlier for your very kind letter of the 19th Novr.—1 I am quite delighted that we agree to some extent in our conclusions with respect to the mutability of species.2 I shall anxiously read your Cours, if published.—3 Pray permit me to be boastful about my book, but for a reason which you will presently see. Sir C. Lyell, who has been our chief maintainer of the immutability of species, has become an entire convert; as is Hooker, our best & most philosophical Botanist; as is Carpenter, an excellent physiologist, & as is Huxley; & I could name several other names. These naturalists intend proclaiming their full acceptance of my views. The whole of the 1st. Edit (1250 copies) was sold on first day; & my publisher is now printing 3000 more copies.— Madame Belloc having heard of my work from her English friends, wished to translate it into French; but on reading it, she finds it too scientific.4 Now this has put it into my head, what an immense advantage it would be, if it were translated. It would then be known to the world. I wish for this far more, (if I know myself) for the sake of the subject, than for my own reputation. Judging from English sale, I think it would answer to a publisher or translator; especially if any distinguished naturalists would look over the proof-sheets, & perhaps append a few notes of refutation or confirmation, & allow his name to appear on title-page.—
I know that you are immersed in original researches, & believe me that I do not presume to think of you; but it has occurred to me that perhaps your kindness & interest in subject would induce you to mention my book to any publisher or translator or eminent naturalist, who might be willing to act as Editor. My publisher has secured the right of translation, which I believe lasts for 2 or 3 months. I would of course send copy of the 2d & corrected Edition to any translator. Will you have the extreme kindness to consider this subject; & if in your power confer on me this great & lasting obligation.—5 I beg you not to waste your valuable time in answering this note, unless you have anything to communicate.
With the highest respect & with my best thanks, I beg leave to remain Dear Sir | Yours faithfully & obliged | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Appel, Toby A. 1987. The Cuvier–Geoffroy debate: French biology in the decades before Darwin. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.
Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. The works of Charles Darwin: an annotated bibliographical handlist. 2d edition. Folkestone, Kent: William Dawson & Sons. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, Shoe String Press.
Journal of researches: Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by HMS Beagle, under the command of Captain FitzRoy, RN, from 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Henry Colburn. 1839.
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.
Quatrefages de Bréau, Jean Louis Armand de. 1861. Unité de l’espèce humaine. Paris: J. Claye. [Vols. 7,9,10,11]
Summary
Mentions English scientists who support mutability of species.
Asks QdeB whether he could help locate a French translator and publisher.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-2571
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Jean Louis Armand (Armand de Quatrefages) Quatrefages de Bréau
- Sent from
- Ilkley Down letterhead
- Source of text
- American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.183)
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2571,” accessed on 24 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2571.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 7