222 PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES, [en. xn. 



think. No one has read it, except Lyell, with whom I have 

 had much correspondence. Hooker thinks him a complete 

 convert, but he does not seem so in his letters to me ; but is 

 evidently deeply interested in the subject. I do not think 

 your share in the theory will be overlooked by the real 

 judges, as Hooker, Lyell, Asa Gray, &c. I have heard from 

 Mr. Sclater that your paper on the Malay Archipelago has 

 been read at the Linnean Society, and that he was extremely 

 much interested by it. 



I have not seen one naturalist for six or nine months, 

 owing to the state of my health, and therefore I really have 

 no news to tell you. I am writing this at Ilkley Wells, 

 where I have been with my family for the last six weeks, 

 and shall stay for some few weeks longer. As yet I have 

 profited very little. God knows when I shall have strength 

 for my bigger book. 



I sincerely hope that you keep your health ; I suppose 

 that you will be thinking of returning* soon with your 

 magnificent collections, and still grander mental materials. 

 You will be puzzled how to publish. The Royal Society 

 fund will be worth your consideration. With every good 

 wish, pray believe me, 



Yours very sincerely. 



P.S. I think that I told you before that Hooker is a 

 complete convert. If I can convert Huxley I shall be con- 

 tent. 



C. Darwin to W. B. Carpenter. November 19th [1859]. 



... If, after reading my book, you are able to come to 

 a conclusion in any degree definite, will you think me very 

 unreasonable in asking you to let me hear from you ? I do 

 not ask for a long discussion, but merely for a brief idea 

 of your general impression. From your widely extended 

 knowledge, habit of investigating the truth, and abilities, I 

 should value your opinion in the very highest rank. Though 

 I, of course, believe in the truth of my own doctrine, I sus- 

 pect that no belief is vivid until shared by others. As yet 

 I know only one believer, but I look at him as of the great- 

 est authority, viz. Hooker. When I think of the many 

 cases of men who have studied one subject for years, and 



* Mr. Wallace was in the Malay Archipelago. 



