44 GROWTH OF THE 'ORIGIN.' [1854. 



How awfully flat I shall feel, if, when I get my notes together 

 on species, &c. &c., the whole thing explodes like an empty 

 puff-ball. Do not work yourself to death. 



Ever yours most truly, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Nov. 5th [1854]. 



My DEAR HOOKER, I was delighted to get your note 

 yesterday. I congratulate you very heartily,* and whether 

 you care much or little, I rejoice to see the highest scientific 

 judgment-court in Great Britain recognise your claims. I do 

 hope Mrs. Hooker is pleased, and E. desires me particularly 

 to send her cordial congratulations. ... I pity you from the 

 very bottom of my heart about your after-dinner speech, 

 which I fear I shall not hear. Without you have a very 

 much greater soul than I have (and I believe that you have), 

 you will find the medal a pleasant little stimulus ; when work 

 goes badly, and one ruminates that all is vanity, it is pleasant 

 to have some tangible proof, that others have thought some- 

 thing of one's labours. 



Good-bye, my dear Hooker, I can assure [you] that we 

 both most truly enjoyed your and Mrs. Hooker's visit here. 

 Farewell. 



My dear Hooker, your sincere friend, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



March 7 [1855]. 

 ... I have just finished working well at Wollaston's f 

 * Insecta Maderensia ' : it is an admirable work. There is a 



* On the award to him of the 1878. His health forcing him 



Royal Society's Medal. in early manhood to winter in 



t Thomas Vernon Wollaston, the south, he devoted himself to 



born March 9, 1821 ; died Jan. 4, a study of the Coleoptera of 



