326 THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES. [i860. 



[Writing on July 22 to Dr. Asa Gray my father thus refers 

 to Lyell's position : 



"Considering his age, his former views and position in so- 

 ciety, I think his conduct has been heroic on this subject."] 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



[Hartfield, Sussex] July 22nd [i860]. 



My DEAR Gray, Owing to absence from home at water- 

 cure and then having to move my sick girl to whence I am 

 now writing, I have only lately read the discussion in Proc. 

 American Acad.,* and now I cannot resist expressing my 

 sincere admiration of your most clear powers of reasoning. 

 As Hooker lately said in a note to me, you are more than 

 any one else the thorough master of the subject. I declare 

 that you know my book as well as I do myself; and bring 

 to the question new lines of illustration and argument in a 

 manner which excites my astonishment and almost my envy ! 

 I admire these discussions, I think, almost more than your 

 article in Silliman's Journal. Every single word seems 

 weighed carefully, and tells like a 32-pound shot. It makes 

 me much wish (but I know that you have not time) that 

 you could write more in detail, and give, for instance, the 

 facts on the variability of the American wild fruits. The 

 Athenaeum has the largest circulation, and I have sent my 

 copy to the editor with a request that he would republish 

 the first discussion ; I much fear he will not, as he reviewed 

 the subject in so hostile a spirit ... I shall be curious (and 

 will order) the August number, as soon as I know that it 

 contains your review of Reviews. My conclusion is that 

 you have made a mistake in being a botanist, you ought 

 to have been a lawyer. 



* April 10, i860. Dr. Gray Bowen and Prof. Agassiz." It was 



criticised in detail " several of the reprinted in the Athenceum, Aug. 4, 



positions taken at the preceding i860, 

 meeting by Mr. [J. A.] Lowell, Prof. 



