EVOLUTION

A substantial run of a historic scientific journal, at a significant period in its history, with the theory of Evolution occasioning an upheaval of received ideas. 153 numbers, dating from the first number of 1 Feb. 1845 to that of 1 Nov. 1901, with a single subsequent number (Feb. 1911). (Numbers were generally arranged in yearly 'Volumes', with occasional additional numbers (for example 120* and 200a and 200b). All issues 8vo, with numbers of pages varying from around 60 to upwards of 20. The full number and date range are as follows: 1-4 [1 Feb. 1845 to 1 Nov. 1845], 9 [1 Feb.

Nevins was a passionate opponent of Darwinism, and the present item, composed any time after 1854 (the latest date of the various works referred to in the text), reflects the crisis of faith in the period leading up to the publication of the 'Origin of Species'. Nevins would set out his position on 'Natural Selection, Sexual Selection, Evolution' in his 1872 inaugural address as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool (Proceedings, No. 26, 1872, pp.1-26), attacking the 'imperfect and one-sided view' put forward by 'the advocates of man's lowly origins'.

One page, 12mo, good condition. He acknowledges receipt of a letter from Crow [identified through this letter being with a batch of letters addressed to him] "et des deux publications que vous avez bien voulu m'envoyer et qui sont intéressantes pour moi. | Je vous ai envoyé hier le 2me Memoire sur le Volvox | Vous recevez prochainement le 3me Mémoire qui traite de l'outogénèse de la blastea volvocéenne."

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper, tipped in onto a card mount. He explains that he is 'obliged to return to London immediately after the delivery of my Lecture in Glasgow', and so will not be able 'to address the audience you bring together'. If he is 'asked to take part in the Glasgow Science Lectures' the following year, he will bear Hopps's wish in mind. Hopps was both an evolutionist and spiritualist, while Carpenter considered the claims of spiritualism 'epidemic delusions'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The name of the addressee is indistinct, and appears to be 'S. Algernon'. The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | I regret that I am unable to give the Lecture you ask for. I really have no business to undertake any kind of public speaking & except in very special circumstances, I keep out of it'.

A total of twelve 12mo pages and two 4to pages. All texts clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The first letter addressed to 'Mrs Norbury', and the others to 'Grace'. After a first letter of 1948, in which he complains that he is 'becoming more & more a home dweller', the correspondence continues in 1951, with Keith thanking Mrs Norbury for a gift of sugar ('Its arrival made my housekeeper Miss Holman quite elated'), and sending Lionel Norbury encouragement on his Hunterian Oration ('My heart goes out to the Orator & to his Better Half').

8vo: 56 pp. In original blue printed wraps. Unopened. Good, on lightly-aged paper, in creased and slightly-chipped wraps. The title of Smith's catalogue of Wallace's collection ('Read Jan. 15, 1863') ends '[...] By Frederick Smith, Assistant in the Zoological Department, British Museum. Communicated by W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S. & L.S.' It runs from p.6 to p.48. Detailed catalogue preceded by brief note by Smith. Smith's 'Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects' had appeared in 7 parts between 1853 and 1859.

In three columns of small type, on one side of a piece of paper 41.5 x 26.5 cm. Fair, on aged and lightly-worn laid paper, with a little offsetting from the ink of the inscription. Reproduces the text of Bryan's speech without editorial interpolation. A report on the banquet (held by the American Society in London and with 'over 400 covers') in the New York Times, titled 'Bryan and Choate in a duel of repartee. Former Guest of Honor at Thanksgiving Day Banquet in London.

12mo, 15 pp. In original green printed wraps. Disbound. Vertical fold. On aged paper with fading to wraps and slight damage to spine from disbinding. As Streatfeild explains in his two-page introductory 'Note', five of the seven poems appear here for the first time. Uncommon. COPAC lists copies at Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford and the British Library.

12mo: 1 p. Nine lines of text. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper. Suggests a convenient time for a meeting 'with you, Dr. Masters and Profr. Allman.' Looks forward to hearing from the recipient, once he has 'fixed the hour and the place'.

All three items are good, though lightly aged, each with a thin strip from previous mounting adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf of the bifolium. Letter One (12mo, 1 p). Thanking Harrison 'for the copy of your Charge' ['Prospects of peace for the Church in the Prayer Book and its rules']. He would have written the day before 'but we went to the opening of the Memorial Church at Langton yesterday'. Letter Two (12mo, 2 pp): Thanks him for 'so kindly sending me your last Charge ['The memories of departed brethren, and the sacredness of their earthly resting places'].

One page, octavo. On aged paper, with slight chipping to corners, but text clear and entire. He is afraid that he 'did not answer your second letter in regard to a book on Sex.' 'After careful consideration', Thomas and 'Prof. Geddes' [Sir Patrick Geddes, 1854-1932] have come to the conclusion that 'if we wrote another book on that subject it should be published either by "Walter Scott" (who has 'The Evolution of Sex') or by Williams and Norgate (who have 'Sex')' [both books, 1889 and 1914 respectively, also by Geddes and Thomson].

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I cannot fail to pay the greatest attention to your recommendation of Mr P Chabot". Signed "S Oxon". Minor discolouration to paper.

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo. "My dear Count / I accept , but not that merely, for I thank you really & heartily "the thing" which accompanied your note. I dipped into them to-day with very great interest." Signed "S Oxon". Docketted "Received last night". Paper discoloured at the edges.