220 PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



here for another fortnight at least. Please remember that my 

 book is only an abstract, and very much condensed, and, to 

 be at all intelligible, must be carefully read. I shall be very 

 grateful for any criticisms. But I know perfectly well that 

 you will not at all agree with the lengths which I go. It took 

 long years to convert me. I may, of course, be egregiously 

 wrong ; but I cannot persuade myself that a theory which 

 explains (as I think it certainly does) several large classes of 

 facts, can be wholly wrong ; notwithstanding the several diffi- 

 culties which have to be surmounted somehow, and which 

 stagger me even to this day. 



I wish that my health had allowed me to publish in 

 extenso ; if ever I get strong enough I will do so, as the 

 greater part is written out, and of which MS. the present 

 volume is an abstract. 



I fear this note will be almost illegible ; but I am poorly ? 

 and can hardly sit up. Farewell ; with thanks for your kind 

 note, and pleasant remembrances of good old days. 



Yours very sincerely, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to A. R. Wallace. 



Ilkley, November 13th, 1859. 



My DEAR Sir, I have told Murray to send you by post 

 (if possible) a copy of my book, and I hope that you will 

 receive it at nearly the same time with this note. (N.B. I 

 have got a bad finger, which makes me write extra badly.) 

 If you are so inclined, I should very much like to hear your 

 general impression of the book, as you have thought so pro- 

 foundly on the subject, and in so nearly the same channel 

 with myself. I hope there will be some little new to you, but 

 I fear not much. Remember it is only an abstract, and very 

 much condensed. God knows what the public will think. No 

 one has read it, except Lyell, with whom I have had much 

 correspondence. Hooker thinks him a complete convert, but 



