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Darwin Correspondence Project

To Edmund Hartnack1   1 March 1874

March 1 (74)

Monsieur

Il y a déjà plusieurs mois que je vous ai prié de vouloir bien m’envoyer un objectif microscopique, dont je vous ai donné la description2   Je vous prie encore de le m’envoyer aussitôt que possible puisque je desirerai m’en servir bientôt3

Agréez Monsieur | Mes Salutations distinguées | Ch Darwin

Footnotes

1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
CD’s letter has not been found. In October 1873, CD had decided to order an immersion lens (a lens that produced a higher resolution by means of water) from Edmund Hartnack in Paris (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter to Francis Darwin, 10 October 1873), having purchased a microscope from Hartnack in June 1873 (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [before 26 June 1873] and n. 9). Hartnack had developed a correction collar for immersion lenses that resulted in much improved image quality (‘Edmund Hartnack (1826–1891)’, Molecular expressions: exploring the world of optics and microscopy, microscopy.fsu.edu/optics/timeline/people/hartnack.html (accessed 18 July 2013)).
3
CD probably intended to use the immersion lens for his work on insectivorous plants.

Bibliography

Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.

Translation

To Edmund Hartnack1   1 March 1874

March 1 (74)

Sir

Some months ago now, I asked you to send me a microscope lens, the description of which I gave you2   I am again requesting you to send it to me as soon as possible, since I should like to make use of it soon3

I am, Sir | Yours truly | Ch Darwin

Footnotes

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original French, see Transcript.
2
CD’s letter has not been found. In October 1873, CD had decided to order an immersion lens (a lens that produced a higher resolution by means of water) from Edmund Hartnack in Paris (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter to Francis Darwin, 10 October 1873), having purchased a microscope from Hartnack in June 1873 (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [before 26 June 1873] and n. 9). Hartnack had developed a correction collar for immersion lenses that resulted in much improved image quality (‘Edmund Hartnack (1826–1891)’, Molecular expressions: exploring the world of optics and microscopy, microscopy.fsu.edu/optics/timeline/people/hartnack.html (accessed 18 July 2013)).
3
CD probably intended to use the immersion lens for his work on insectivorous plants.

Bibliography

Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.

Summary

Has been waiting several months for a microscope objective and would like it without delay.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-9326
From
Charles Robert Darwin
To
Edmund Hartnack
Sent from
Down
Source of text
DAR 97: C42
Physical description
D(A) 1p (French)

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 9326,” accessed on 26 September 2022, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-9326.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 22

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