482 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862, 



unfriendly attitude of England gives us much con- 

 cern. Were it not for that, it is thought we should 

 soon put an end to our rebellion. But I will not 

 write of such matters now. 



July 2, 1862. 



No fear about our army, now so great. It is 

 largely composed of materials such as nothing but a 

 high sense of duty could keep for a year in military 

 life. It will dissolve like last winter's snow when no 

 more needed. 



While I write, a great battle is in progress, decisive 

 if we gain it and take the rebel capital, simply pro- 

 longing the strife if we do not. We can raise at once 



o o 



another army if need be ; and yet another. Indeed 

 300,000 more men are now to be accepted, to recruit 

 our ranks and make a sure thing of the result. 



Confident of our cause, we expect confidently the 

 favor of Providence. . . . 



What a charming book is that of Darwin on orchid 

 fertilization ! 



TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 



CAMBRIDGE, April 17, 1862. 



I am at work in college now, you know, and it is 

 very hard work. This last vacation I had to make a 

 new edition and new additions to my " Manual," etc., 

 and to do it in a hurry, and I have at length, for the 

 first time, found out that I am growing old. In fact 

 I broke down under it, and have injured my health a 

 little. ... I doubt if I ever recover the spring and 

 vim of former times. But we shall see. . . . 



My hard work has got correspondence all horridly 

 behindhand, and determined me to draw in my horns, 



