:2l8 [ PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



History ; I fear, however, that you will not approve of your 

 pupil in this case. The book in its present state does not 

 show the amount of labour which I have bestowed on the 

 subject. 



If you have time to read it carefully, and would take the 

 trouble to point out what parts seem weakest to you and 

 what best, it would be a most material aid to me in writing 

 my bigger book, which I hope to commence in a few months. 

 You know also how highly I value your judgment. But I 

 am not so unreasonable as to wish or expect you to write 

 detailed and lengthy criticisms, but merely a few general 

 remarks, pointing out the weakest parts. 



If you are in even so slight a degree staggered (which I 

 hardly expect) on the immutability of species, then I am 

 convinced with further reflection you will become more and 

 more staggered, for this has been the process through which 

 my mind has gone. My dear Henslow, 



Yours affectionately and gratefully, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to John Ltibbock. 



* 



Ilkley, Yorkshire, 

 Saturday [November 12th, 1859]. 



. . . Thank you much for asking me to Brighton. I hope 

 much that you will enjoy your holiday. I have told Murray 

 to send a copy for you to Mansion House Street, and I am 

 surprised that you have not received it. There are so many 

 valid and weighty arguments against my notions, that you, 

 or any one, if you wish on the other side, will easily persuade 

 yourself that I am wholly in error, and no doubt I am in part 

 in error, perhaps wholly so, though I cannot see the blindness 

 of my ways. I dare say when thunder and lightning were 

 first proved to be due to secondary causes, some regretted to 



* The present Sir John Lubbock. 



