When we remember the immense amount of correspondence with which Darwin had to cope, the constant attention required by his investigations and publications, and the state of his health, it is deeply interesting to read these letters, written with such unfailing courtesy, to a younger worker in the lines that he had suggested, and who was thereby stimulated and encouraged to undertake the researches which are now so well known.
Reading these letters and remembering the circumstances of the writer, we can understand how it is that, although ill-health prevented his presence on occasions at which the younger scientific men are wont to meet—although he was known to but few of them—nevertheless the charm of his noble and generous nature was a most potent force in influencing and attracting men; and it was this, no less than his epoch-making discoveries, which has made it one of the chief regrets of many a scientific worker that he never saw Charles Darwin.
LETTERS.
The correspondence was opened by a letter from Meldola informing Darwin of a case of hexadactylism in a man at Turnham Green.
“Jan. 28 [1871].
“Down.
“Dear Sir,—I am much obliged for your kindness in informing me of the hexadactylous case; but so many have been recorded that I do not think, except under very special circumstances, it would be worth your while further to investigate it.
“With my thanks, yours faithfully and obliged,
“Ch. Darwin.”
The next letter refers to Meldola’s communication to Nature (he had recently written upon pangenesis and upon sexual selection), and his work on mimicry, protective resemblance, etc. In the latter part we meet with an interesting reference to the researches on cross-fertilisation which are now so famous.