Family Histories. 159 



He had a strong liking for botany, and when ad- 

 vanced in years pubHshed the results of his studies 

 and observations in a work entitled " Principia Bo- 

 tanica." He was the second of the Darwins to show 

 an inclination for natural history pursuits, and the 

 first to write a scientific work. The book, like those 

 of his illustrious descendant, was a success, passing 

 through several editions. 



A brother of Robert Waring, William Alvey 

 Darwin, inherited the Elston homestead, and from 

 him it passed to his granddaughter. His brother 

 John was rector of Elston, while a fourth son was 

 Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of the subject of this 

 sketch. 



Erasmus was a tall, striking man, and his stature 

 and love for nature are among the many characteris- 

 tics he appears to have bequeathed to his grandson. 

 Both had a charm of manner that was irresistible, 

 strong feelings of sympathy, and a love for theoris- 

 ing. Erasmus possessed an inventive faculty, was 

 fond of mechanics, and also had a decided literary 

 and philosophical tendency. 



We have seen that Charles Darwin was remark- 

 able for his modesty — the absence of over-appreci- 

 ation of his own talents, — and it is interesting to see 

 how he resembled his grandfather in this respect. 

 In his " Life of Erasmus Darwin," Charles writes: 

 " Throughout his letters I have been struck with his 

 indifference to fame, and the complete absence of all 

 signs of any over-estimation of his own abilities, or 

 of the success of his works." 



The principal works of Erasmus Darwin were: 



