During 1874-1876, George Harris solicited comments and suggestions from many eminent philosophers, theologians and naturalists concerning the ideas and language of his planned treatise on the nature of man. This collection includes approximately 150 original manuscript letters sent him in reply by 31 correspondents, bound into one quarto volume. In 1876 Harris' work was published in two volumes titled "A Philosophical Treatise on the Nature and Constitution of Man"; in it he quoted from over 100 of these letters. The collection consists of 152 holograph letters, according to the numbering which has been added at some time. This numbering is somewhat erratic, however; an early cataloging record specifies "158 pieces". The letters have been folded and are bound into a handsome octavo-sized volume, preceded by a publisher's advertisement for the two-volume edition of "A Philosophical Treatise on the Nature and Constitution of Man," by George Harris. London: George Bell and Sons, 1876. The 18 pages of printed introductory matter consist of: Contents; Extracts; Opinions of the Press. A short paragraph after "Contents" states "Eminent authorities ... have been in correspondence with, and have been consulted by the author ... ". This statement is followed by 24 names listed as " ... among the gentlemen who have so kindly aided the undertaking." Following the printed introductory pages is a two-page handwritten list headed "Letters from", giving the correspondent's name and the letter number or numbers coming from that person. All letters are dated 1873 through 1877 (most from 1874-1875). Letter no.1, from Charles Darwin, was probably missing from the volume at the time it was bound. The finding aid is organized by series, each series naming one of the correspondents. The collection is organized into the following series: Series 1. Barclay, Hugh, 1799-1884, Mr. Sheriff -- Series 2. Beddoe, John, 1826-1911, Dr. -- Series 3. Blake, Charles Carter, 1840-1897, Dr. -- Series 4. Bloxam, John Rouse, 1807-1891, Rev. Dr. -- Series 5. Bogouschevsky, Nicolas Casimir de, Baron -- Series 6. Bray, Charles, 1811-1884, Mr. -- Series 7. Chaplain of Hanwell Lunatic Asylum (William Grey?) -- Series 8. Chapman, John, 1821-1894, Dr. -- Series 9. Clarke, Hyde, 1815-1895, Dr. -- Series 10. Coleridge, Derwent, 1800-1883, Rev. -- Series 10. Galton, Francis, Sir, 1822-1911 -- Series 11. Cox, Edward William, 1809-1880, Mr. Serjeant -- Series 12. Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882, Mr. -- Series 13. Galton, Francis, 1822-1911, Sir -- Series 14. Gladstone, W.E. (William Ewart), 1809-1898, Rt. Hon. -- Series 15. Huxley, Thomas Henry, 1825-1895, Prof. -- Series 16. Lubbock, John, 1834-1913, Sir -- Series 17. Maudsley, Henry, 1835-1918, Dr. -- Series 18. Newman, John Henry, 1801-1890, Rev. Dr. -- Series 19. Plumptre, Charles John, 1818-1887, Prof. -- Series 20. Quatrefages, A. de (Armand), 1810-1892, Prof. -- Series 21. Richardson, Benjamin Ward, Sir, 1828-1896, Dr. -- Series 22. Rogers, Charles (1825-1890), Rev. -- Series 23. Sainte Croix, Le Roy de -- Series 24. Seager, Charles (possibly 1808-1878), Prof. -- Series 25. Smee, Alfred, 1818-1877, Mr. -- Series 26. Sopwith, Thomas, 1803-1879, Mr. -- Series 27. Tagore, Ganendro Mohun, 1826-1890, Mr. -- Series 28. Vaughan, Charles John, 1816-1897, Rev. Dr. -- Series 29. Wake, C. Staniland (Charles Staniland), 1835-1910, Mr. -- Series 30. Wallace, Alfred Russel, 1823-1913, Mr. -- Series 31. Wood, J.G. (John George), 1827-1889, Rev.
