130 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1858. 



going to prepare a longer abstract ; but it is really impossible 

 to do justice to the subject, except by giving the facts on 

 which each conclusion is grounded, and that will, of course, 

 be absolutely impossible. Your name and Hooker's name 

 appearing as in any way the least interested in my work 

 will, I am certain, have the most important bearing in leading 

 people to consider the subject without prejudice. I look at 

 this as so very important, that I am almost glad of Wallace's 

 paper for having led to this. 



My dear Lyell, yours most gratefully, 



Ch. Darwin. 



[The following letter refers to the proof-sheets of the 

 Linnean paper. The ' introduction ' means the prefatory 

 letter signed by Sir C. Lyell and Sir J. D. Hooker.] 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



King's Head Hotel, Sandown, Isle of Wight. 



July 21st [1858]. 



My DEAR HOOKER, I received only yesterday the proof- 

 sheets, which I now return. I think your introduction cannot 

 be improved. 



I am disgusted with my bad writing. I could not improve 

 it, without rewriting all, which would not be fair or worth 

 while, as I have begun on a better abstract for the Linnean 

 Society. My excuse is that it never was intended for publica- 

 tion. I have made only a few corrections in the style ; but I 

 cannot make it decent, but I hope moderately intelligible. I 

 suppose some one will correct the revise. (Shall I ?) 



Could I have a clean proof to send to Wallace ? 



I have not yet fully considered your remarks on big genera 

 (but your general concurrence is of the highest possible interest 

 to me) ; nor shall I be able till I re-read my MS. ; but you 

 may rely on it that you never make a remark to me which is 



