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Darwin Correspondence Project

From William Kemp   24 November 1843

Galashiels

24th Novr.—1843

Sir

I have examined the paper sent for my approval, and I beg to say that I am more than pleased with the manner in which you have drawn it up. I beleave that it embraces all that is worth notice in the case, I do not think more could have been done even had you been witness to all concerning it.— I have not an idea, or a word to add, or take from it.—1

I thank you for a perusal of the Gardeners Chronicle, I have seen the article aluded to in the papers of the day but in that I admire the prudent caution given to su⁠⟨⁠b⁠⟩⁠stantiate by the clearest evidance any discovery of that nature. Doubtes may still be intertained in this case, that I cannot help; however, were it a case in Law it could be proven by the best of evidance. Fortunately a Mr. Bell of Melrose, the proprietor of the place, was at the sand-pit at the time of the discovery,2 who is now sorrie that he had not kept a few of the seeds. You may rest satisfied that even the antiquety of the Egyptian Wheat3 is not more genuine than this is.

With this I hope you will receive the Chronicle safely.

I am Sir | With the warmest gratitude | your much Obliged and, | very Humble Servant | William Kemp Charles Darwin Esqre.

Footnotes

CD’s draft of the paper is in DAR 50: 1–6. The published version (Kemp 1844) is, except for a few changes, a verbatim copy of the draft. See Appendix VI. See Correspondence vol. 18, Supplement, letter to William Kemp, 22 November [1843].
John Bell. The fact that Bell was a witness was added to the first paragraph of the published version.

Bibliography

Kemp, William. 1844. An account of some seeds buried in a sand-pit which germinated. By Mr William Kemp of Galashiels, in a letter to Charles Darwin, Esq. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 13: 89–91.

Summary

Approves of the paper CD has drawn up concerning WK’s seed discovery.

Mentions article in Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-716
From
William Kemp
To
Charles Robert Darwin
Sent from
Galashiels
Source of text
DAR 50: A18
Physical description
ALS 1p

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 716,” accessed on 18 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-716.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 2

letter