1858.] THE 'ABSTRACT.' 131 



lost from inattention. I am particularly glad you do not 

 object to my stating your objections in a modified form, for 

 they always struck me as very important, and as having 

 much inherent value, whether or no they were fatal to my 

 notions. I will consider and reconsider all your remarks. . . . 



I have ordered Bentham, for, as says, it will be very 



curious to see a Flora written by a man who knows nothing 

 of British plants ! ! 



I am very glad at what you say about my Abstract, but 

 you may rely on it that I will condense to the utmost. I 

 would aid in money if it is too long.* In how many way^ 

 you have aided me ! 



Yours affectionately, 



C. Darwin. 



[The ' Abstract ' mentioned in the last sentence of the pre- 

 ceding letter was in fact the ' Origin of Species,' on which he 

 now set to work. In his 'Autobiography' (p. 85) he speaks 

 of beginning to write in September, but in his Diary he 

 wrote, "July 20 to Aug. 12, at Sandown, began Abstract of 

 Species book." "Sep. 16, Recommenced Abstract" The 

 book was begun with the idea that it would be published as 

 a paper, or series of papers, by the Linnean Society, and ii 

 was only in the late autumn that it became clear that it 

 must take the form of an independent volume.] 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Norfolk House, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. 



Friday [July] 30th [1858]. 



My DEAR Hooker, Will you give the enclosed scrap t 



Sir William to thank him for his kindness ; and this gives m 



an excuse to amuse myself by writing to you a note, whic 



requires no answer. 



* That is to say, he would help prove too long for the Linnea 

 to pay for the printing, if it should Society. 



K 2 



