ch. xil] OCTOBER 1859, TO DECEMBER 1859. 223 



have persuaded themselves of the truth of the foolishest 

 doctrines, I feel sometimes a little frightened, whether I 

 may not be one of these monomaniacs. 



Again pray excuse this, I fear, unreasonable request. A 

 short note would suffice, and I could bear a hostile verdict, 

 and shall have to bear many a one. 



Yours very sincerely. 



C. D. to J. D. Hooker. Ilkley, Yorkshire. [November, 



1859.] 



My deak Hooker, I have just read a review on my 

 book in the Athenmum* and it excites my curiosity much 

 who is the author. If you should hear who writes in the 

 AthencBum I wish you would tell me. It seems to me well 

 done, but the reviewer gives no new objections, and, being 

 hostile, passes over every single argument in favour of the 

 doctrine. . . . I fear, from the tone of the review, that I have 

 written in a conceited and cocksure style, f which shames 

 me a little. There is another review of which I should like 

 to know the author, viz. of H. 0. Watson in the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle.\ Some of the remarks are like yours, and he 

 does deserve punishment ; but surely the review is too severe. 

 Don't you think so ? . . . 



I have heard from Carpenter, who, I think, is likely to be 

 a convert. Also from Quatrefages, who is inclined to go a 

 long way with us. He says that he exhibited in his lecture 

 a diagram closely like mine ! 



J. D. Hooker to C. Darwin. Monday [Xov. 21, 1859]. 



My dear Darwin, I am a sinner not to have written 

 you ere this, if only to thank you for your glorious book 

 what a mass of close reasoning on curious facts and fresh 

 phenomena it is capitally written, and will be very success- 

 ful. I say this on the strength of two or three plunges into 

 as many chapters, for I have not yet attempted to read it. 

 Lyell, with whom we are staying, is perfectly enchanted, and is 

 absolutely gloating over it. I must accept your compliment 



* Nov. 19, 1859. 



t The Reviewer speaks of the author's " evident self-satisfaction," and of 

 his disposing of all difficulties " more or less confidently." 



X A review of the fourth volume of Watson's Cybele Britannica, Gard. 

 Chron., 1859, p. 911. 



