130 EVOLUTION [CHAP. Ill 



Letter 83 coloured drawings of pigeons. Would this be in time? If 

 not, I think I could write to my servants and have them sent 

 to you. If I do not hear I shall understand that about 

 fifteen or sixteen days will be in time. 



I have had a kind yet slashing letter against me from 

 poor dear old Sedgwick, "who has laughed till his sides ached 

 at my book." 



Phillips is cautious, but decidedly, I fear, hostile. Hurrah 

 for the Lecture it is grand ! 



Letter 84 , To T. H. Huxley. 



Down, Dec. I3th [1859]. 



I have got fine large drawings 1 of the Pouter, Carrier, and 

 Tumbler ; I have only drawings in books of Fantails, Barbs, 

 and Scanderoon Runts. If you had them, you would have 

 a grand display of extremes of diversity. Will they pay at 

 the Royal Institution for copying on a large size drawings 

 of these birds ? I could lend skulls of a Carrier and a 

 Tumbler (to show the great difference) for the same purpose, 

 but it would not probably be worth while. 



I have been looking at my MS. What you want I 

 believe is about hybridism and breeding. The chapter on 

 hybridism is in a pretty good state about 150 folio pages 

 with notes and references on the back. My first chapter on 

 breeding is in too bad and imperfect a state to send ; but my 

 discussion on pigeons (in about 100 folio pages) is in a pretty 

 good state. I am perfectly convinced that you would never 

 have patience to read such volumes of MS. I speak now in 

 the palace of truth, and pray do you : if you think you would 

 read them I will send them willingly up by my servant, or 

 bring them myself next week. But I have no copy, and I 

 never could possibly replace them ; and without you really 

 thought that you would use them, I had rather not risk them. 

 But I repeat I will willingly bring them, if you think you 

 would have the vast patience to use them. Please let me 

 hear on this subject, and whether I shall send the book 

 with small drawings of three other breeds or skulls. I have 

 heard a rumour that Busk is on our side in regard to species. 

 Is this so? It would be very good. 



1 For Mr Huxley's R. I. lecture. 



