perseverance, than that he should be turned from it because of no future
advantage to him. I will mention one other small point of inquiry in
relation to very young children, which may possibly prove important with
respect to the origin of language; but it could be investigated only by
persons possessing an accurate musical ear. Children, even before they can
articulate, express some of their feelings and desires by noises uttered in
different notes. For instance, they make an interrogative noise, and
others of assent and dissent, in different tones; and it would, I think, be
worth while to ascertain whether there is any uniformity in different
children in the pitch of their voices under various frames of mind.

I fear that this letter can be of no use to you, but it will serve to show
my sympathy and good wishes in your researches.



2.VIII.II. SEXUAL SELECTION, 1866-1872.


LETTER 425. TO JAMES SHAW.
Down, February 11th [1866].

I am much obliged to you for your kindness in sending me an abstract of
your paper on beauty. (425/1. A newspaper report of a communication to
the "Dumfries Antiquarian and Natural History Society.") In my opinion you
take quite a correct view of the subject. It is clear that Dr. Dickson has
either never seen my book, or overlooked the discussion on sexual
selection. If you have any precise facts on birds' "courtesy towards their
own image in mirror or picture," I should very much like to hear them.
Butterflies offer an excellent instance of beauty being displayed in