ch. xii.] OCTOBER 1859, TO DECEMBER 1859. 221 



any time read my volume) that you might think that I had 

 sent it to you out of a spirit of defiance or bravado ; but I 

 assure you that I act under a wholly different frame of 

 mind. I hope that you will at least give me credit, however 

 erroneous vou may think mv conclusions, for having ear- 

 nestly endeavoured to arrive at the truth. With sincere re- 

 spect, I beg leave to remain, 



Yours very faithfully. 



He sent copies of the Origin, accompanied by letters 

 similar to the last, to M. De Candolle, Dr. Asa Gray, Fal- 

 coner, and Mr. Jenyns (Blomefield). 



To Henslow he wrote (Nov. 11th, 1859) : 



" I have told Murray to send a copy of my book on Spe- 

 cies to you, my dear old master in Natural History ; I fear, 

 however, that you will not approve of your pupil in this 

 case. The book in its present state does not show the 

 amount of labour which I have bestowed on the subject. 



" If vou have time to read it carefully, and would take 

 the trouble to point out what parts seem weakest to you and 

 what best, it would be a most material aid to me in writing 

 my bigger book, which I hope to commence in a few 

 months. You know also how highly I value your judg- 

 ment. But I am not so unreasonable as to wish or expect 

 you to write detailed and lengthy criticisms, but merely a 

 few general remarks, pointing out the weakest parts. 



" If you are in ever so slight a degree staggered (which 

 I hardly expect) on the immutability of species, then I am 

 convinced with further reflection you will become more and 

 more staggered, for this has been the process through which 

 my mind has gone." 



C. D. to A. R. Wallace. Ilkley, November 13th, 1859. 



My dear Sir, I have told Murray to send you by post 

 (if possible) a copy of my book, and I hope that you will 

 receive it at nearly the same time with this note. (N.B. I 

 have got a bad finger, which makes me write extra badly.) 

 If you are so inclined, I should very much like to hear your 

 general impression of the book, as you have thought so pro- 

 foundly on the subject, and in so nearly the same channel 

 with myself. I hope there will be some little new to you, 

 but I fear not much. Remember it is only an abstract, and 

 very much condensed. God knows what the public will 



