i860.] historical sketch. 273 



and I wish I could feel all was deserved by me. I quite think 

 a review from a man, who is not an entire convert, if fair and 

 moderately favourable, is in all respects the best kind of 

 review. About the weak points I agree. The eye to this 

 day gives me a cold shudder, but when I think of the fine 

 known gradations, my reason tells me I ought to conquer 

 the cold shudder. 



Pray kindly remember and tell Prof. Wyman how very 

 grateful I should be for any hints, information, or criticisms. 

 I have the highest respect for his opinion. I am so sorry 

 about Dana's health. I have already asked him to pay me a 

 visit. 



Farewell, you have laid me under a load of obligation not 

 that I feel it a load. It is the highest possible gratification to 

 me to think that you have found my book worth reading and 

 reflection ; for you and three others I put down in my own 

 mind as the judges whose opinions I should value most of all. 



My dear Gray, yours most sincerely, 



C. Darwin. 



P.S. I feel pretty sure, from my own experience, that if 

 you are led by your studies to keep the subject of the origin 

 of species before your mind, you will go further and further 

 in your belief. It took me long years, and I assure you I am 

 astonished at the impression my book has made on many 

 minds. I fear twenty years ago I should not have been half 

 as candid and open to conviction. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down [January 31st, i860]. 



My DEAR HOOKER, I have resolved to publish a little 

 sketch of the progress of opinion on the change of species. 

 Will you or Mrs. Hooker do me the favour to copy one 

 sentence out of Naudin's paper in the ' Revue Horticole,' 

 1852, p. 103, namely, that on his principle of Finalite. Can 



VOL. II. T 



