CHAPTER XIII - 1870–1871

Summary

In 1870 the family made no move en masse. My father's health was tolerable, and there was a happy time fairly free from home cares.

I went in January to join the Langtons at Cannes. Fanny Allen writes to my mother:

It is marvellous to me, sitting by the fire rejoicing in the repose, to read of the rushing of the young to all points of the compass in such weather! But in reality at their age, if I had had their power, I should have done the same. I now only wonder at the progress of kindness and indulgence on the parents’ part that aid their children in their natural tastes.

Whilst I was abroad the proof-sheets of the Descent of Man were sent out to me to read. My mother writes to me of one of the chapters: “I think it will be very interesting, but that I shall dislike it very much as again putting God further off.” To shew how delightfully my father took any help his children gave him, I give the following letter, although of course the praise is excessive, and out of all proportion to what I really did.

Charles Darwin to his daughter Henrietta.

Spring, 1870.

My dear Hen.,

I have worked through (and it is hard work), half of the 2nd chapter on mind, and your corrections and suggestions are excellent. I have adopted the greater number, and I am sure that they are very great improvements. Some of the transpositions are most just.