i860.] evolution and history. 295 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Down [March] 12th [i860]. 



MY DEAR Lyell, Thinking- over what we talked about, 

 the high state of intellectual development of the old Grecians 

 with the little or no subsequent improvement, being an appa- 

 rent difficulty, it has just occurred to me that in fact the case 

 harmonises perfectly with our views. The case would be a 

 decided difficulty on the Lamarckian or Vestigian doctrine 

 of necessary progression, but on the view which I hold of 

 progression depending on the conditions, it is no objection at 

 all, and harmonises with the other facts of progression in 

 the corporeal structure of other animals. For in a state of 

 anarchy, or despotism, or bad government, or after irruption 

 of barbarians, force, strength, or ferocity, and not intellect, 

 would be apt to gain the day. 



We have so enjoyed your and Lady Lyell's visit. 



Good-night. 



C. Darwin. 



P.S. By an odd chance (for I had not alluded even to the 

 subject) the ladies attacked me this evening, and threw the 

 high state of old Grecians into my teeth, as an unanswerable 

 difficulty, but by good chance I had my answer all pat, and 

 silenced them. Hence I have thought it worth scribbling to 



you. 



C. Darwin to J. Prestzvick* 



Down, March 12th [i860]. 



... At some future time, when you have a little leisure, 

 and when you have read my ' Origin of Species,' I should 

 esteem it a singular favour if you w r ould send me any general 

 .criticisms. I do not mean of unreasonable length, but such 



* Now Professor of Geology in the University of Oxford. 



