. 55.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 549 



promptly, brought all away. I have stuck some cot- 

 ton on to the lath at the proper height for the next 

 pair of tendrils. The tendril near by stuck fast at 

 once, and is beginning to develop the disks, and now 

 the tendril of the other leaf has bent abruptly round, 

 and seized the cotton with avidity. Are there any 

 new observations I can make ? 



The Fenian scare, we have supposed here, was 

 mainly a plan of certain rogues here to fleece their poor 

 countrymen and women, poor servants and working- 

 men ! Nothing more could come of it. But I sadly 

 fear many here have enjoyed the trouble it has given 

 and the alarm it has excited, especially among our 

 neighbors in New Brunswick, who rather enjoyed our 

 woes two or three years ago. 



Yes, slavery is thoroughly done for. We have a 

 bad set to deal with at the South ; and holding wolf 

 by the ears is no pleasant nor hopeful occupation, as 

 the temper of the wolf does not improve under the 

 holding. But we shall jangle out of the difficulty in 

 time, even with such a crooked character as our Pres- 

 ident to deal with also. 



Bring out the book on Variation soon. 



July 3. 



... So there is war on the Continent; really a 

 war " for empire," as Lord Russell said our war was. 

 Now our war was a simple necessity ; this Continental 

 one a crime, in which all parties participate. I wish, 

 but do not expect, Prussia to be crushed as one residt. 

 I wish all her coast could be annexed to Denmark ! 

 However, it is no affair of ours, being on the other 

 side of the Atlantic. And when a nation can get 

 strength and power by robbery, it will be likely to 

 rob. 



