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    Dinner With Charles Darwin
    Dinner With Charles Darwin
    Dinner With Charles Darwin
    Ebook98 pages1 hour

    Dinner With Charles Darwin

    By Greg Minster

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    About this ebook

    Iconic scientist Charles Darwin invites a young American protégé to his home in the village of Downe, near London, England, where the two compare notes on Darwin’s theories of evolution, and 'survival of the fittest'. The visit includes a stroll on Darwin's Sandwalk, and advice from Darwin to his visitor on persuading others to rethink their belief in the Biblical version of Creation.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGreg Minster
    Release dateDec 20, 2014
    ISBN9781311931955
    Dinner With Charles Darwin
    Author

    Greg Minster

    Greg Minster is 59 years old, and lives in Sheboygan, WI with his teenage daughter.

    Read more from Greg Minster

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      Book preview

      Dinner With Charles Darwin - Greg Minster

      Dinner With Charles Darwin

      Greg Minster

      Dinner With Charles Darwin

      © 2014 All Rights Reserved

      Special thanks to editors Lisa Dobberke, and Chuck Minster

      This work is dedicated to my granddaughter Natalie, and all of her future siblings and cousins.

      12/19/2014

      Town of Meeme

      Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

      Hello…

      My name is Greg Minster. Several years ago, I bought a ten acre, eastern Wisconsin forest. The property included a semi-rustic cabin. While going through items left behind in the cabin by the previous owner, I came across a bundle of old, brittle, crudely fastened pages. The pages appeared to be a rather long entry in a personal journal of some sort. The author listed the date as ‘June, of 1872’.

      I found the pages in an old burlap animal feed bag. The bag sat on the bottom of a wooden box, underneath an eclectic collection of cow bones, a few bird and squirrel skulls, and a small bundle of very dusty pheasant feathers. In short, other than the pages, the box appeared to be filled with miscellaneous items gathered from the property.

      After reading the blotchy, hand written entry, and following some research on the internet, I realized the following: Based on the style and language usage, the writer came from the country of England. Quite astoundingly, was who the author of the work turned out to be—the personal servant, named Parslow, of the legendary scientist Charles Darwin. Incredibly, Parslow writes about a young farmer, named Gunther Mahlkopf, who lived and farmed not far from where I bought my cabin. The writing describes in great detail how the young man actually came to Darwin’s home in England, known as ‘Down House’, for dinner. During the visit, Darwin and Gunther discussed not only scientific issues, but also how Gunther could successfully promote Darwin’s ideas on evolution as presented in his work, ‘The Origin of Species’, to his neighbors and family back in Wisconsin.

      Quite naturally, I read the article with great curiosity: First of all, how did a pioneer farmer end up at Charles Darwin’s, the most influential scientist of the 19th century, for dinner at his personal residence? Furthermore, with all the visitors his very famous and important boss had over the years, why did Parslow find this young man from the Midwestern United States to be of enough interest that he’d write about the event? There’s no record of him writing about any other visitors. Why write about Mr. Mahlkopf?

      I found answers to these questions by reading Parslow’s account of the meeting. Parslow explains why the meeting took place, and why his boss, Charles Darwin, showed so much interest in the young man from Wisconsin. The writing also explains just how this rather fascinating piece of writing ended up in my cabin, for me to find it.

      While re-writing the piece for publication on the internet, I did some editing to smooth out some of Parslow’s old English writing style—which I always found to be mildly annoying and at times, awkward to read. Regardless, I’m confident that I kept the original intentions of the author intact.

      Parslow’s journal entry now follows. He begins, with a short note to Gunther—which appears to be a personal, cover letter included with the pages.

      ***

      June, 1872

      Dear Mr. Mahlkopf

      I hope your return back across the Atlantic went smoothly, and that life in general finds you well, and in good spirits. After your long trip abroad, I’ll bet you’re more than happy to be home, living the beautifully simplistic lifestyle of a farmer in a very rural area. Though inevitably lots of hard work, I’m sure such labor brings wonderful rewards to you every day.

      After you left Mr. Darwin’s home a few weeks ago, based largely on the notes I jotted down during your visit, I could not resist writing about your visit in my personal journal. The writing turned out quite well, I believe. So well, in fact, that I took the liberty of producing a second copy (enclosed) to send to you! Please excuse the first person story teller position I used, rather than a third person perspective in which you perhaps more easily could have related to your character. But the story just rolled onto the paper the way you will read it. I hope you’re pleased with my interpretation of your character, and of your visit. .If you notice that I don’t use your exact words in my writing, it’s because I could not accurately remember them verbatim—therefore some of your quotes may sound more like an aging English butler than a smart young farmer living in the American outback.. Either way, I just may try to replace the late Charles Dickens as my country’s preeminent writer!

      Again, best of wishes, and I hope you enjoy reading the enclosed entry to my personal journal.

      Your friend, Parslow

      ***

      May 5th, 1872

      Down House

      The Village of Downe

      Outside of London, England.

      The young man on the outside step tapped meekly on the brass door knocker.

      I paused a few moments, stepped the final few feet toward the door, turned the knob, and opened it.

      Master Gunther Mahlkopf, I presume? I said, with a mocked quick breath, hoping to fool the visitor that I was not waiting right inside the door for his knock.

      Yes, the proper looking young man answered, standing straight and stiff as a good young patrician want-to-be should stand--looking awkward, but correctly holding his hat in front of his belly.

      He looked as nervous and excited as I expected him to be. Not a surprise for me. For most all of Master Darwin’s visitors appeared at the door this way. As for this guest, today would be his first meeting with Mr. Darwin. Guests on their initial visits quite often showed their nerves when arriving—only those most important and influential scientists that visited kept themselves composed and confident. As expected, this guest looked quite young. I knew he would be just out of boyhood. I also knew that he’d come a long distance to see Darwin, and undoubtedly the bumpy ride out here to Down House jangled his nerves even more. Regardless, I felt quite confident that he will be an excellent dinner guest for Mr. Darwin. A guest whose visit had been long anticipated by the master.

      ***

      Is our young visitor here? I heard the Mrs. Darwin say from another room.

      Yes, Mrs. Darwin, I replied smartly. Mr. Mahlkopf has arrived!

      Mrs. Charles Darwin stepped into the foyer, and smiled at the guest. Emma Darwin, she said.

      Gunther Mahlkopf, he replied, with a slight nod of his head.

      Parslow, she then addressed me, please show our guest to the old study. Mr. Darwin waits for him there.

      Yes, madam, I replied. Come along Mr. Mahlkopf.

      We stepped through the foyer toward Mr. Darwin’s ‘old study’ (This was a study in the original house. Darwin had added a new study as part of an addition to the home, but often chooses to meet with visitors in his more conveniently located old study). I tapped lightly on the half closed study door, and waited for the softly spoken reply from the Master indicating please come in. Upon the master’s request, and as always with guests, I entered the room first, faced Mr. Darwin, and announced, Mr. Mahlkopf, sir, from America sir! With a chuckle I added, "From the great state of Wisconsin, in America, sir!"

      Oh! Darwin replied, putting more effort than usual into his normally struggled voice, Please come in Mr. Mahlkopf!

      Mr. Mahlkopf stepped carefully into the room, still holding his hat before his belly, and moved carefully in front

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