68 THE UNFINISHED BOOK. [1856. 



it goes against my prejudices. To give a fair sketch would be 

 absolutely impossible, for every proposition requires such an 

 array of facts. If I were to do anything, it could only refer 

 to the main agency of change selection and perhaps point 

 out a very few of the leading features, which countenance 

 such a view, and some few of the main difficulties. But I do 

 not know what to think ; I rather hate the idea of writing 

 for priority, yet I certainly should be vexed if any one 

 were to publish my doctrines before me. Anyhow, I thank 

 you heartily for your sympathy. I shall be in London next 

 week, and I will call on you on Thursday morning for one 

 hour precisely, so as not to lose much of your time and my 

 own ; but will you let me this time come as early as 9 o'clock, 

 for I have much which I must do in the morning in my 

 strongest time ? Farewell, my dear old patron. 



Yours, 



C. Darwin. 



By the way, three plants have come up out of the earth, 

 perfectly enclosed in the roots of the trees. And twenty- 

 nine plants in the table-spoonful of mud, out of the little 

 pond ; Hooker was surprised at this, and struck with it, when 

 I showed him how much mud I had scraped off one duck's feet. 



If I did publish a short sketch, where on earth should I 

 publish it ? 



If I do not hear, I shall understand that I may come from 

 9 to 10 on Thursday. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



May 9th [1856]. 

 ... I very much want advice and truthful consolation if 

 you can give it. I had a good talk with Lyell about my 

 species work, and he urges me strongly to publish something. 

 I am fixed against any periodical or Journal, as I positively 

 will not expose myself to an Editor or a Council, allowing a 

 publication for which they might be abused. If I publish 



