3i8 'DESCENT OF MAN '—EXPRESSION. [1871. 



main nearly the same during many generations, in order that 

 sexual selection should produce any effect, I agree to ; and I 

 think this argument would be sound if used by one who de- 

 nied that, for instance, the plumes of birds of Paradise had 

 been so gained. I believe you admit this, and if so I do not 

 see how your argument applies in other cases. I have recog- 

 nized for some short time that I have made a great omission 

 in not having discussed, as far as I could, the acquisition of 

 taste, its inherited nature, and its permanence within pretty 

 close limits for long periods. 



[With regard to the success of the * Descent of Man,' I 

 quote from a letter to Professor Ray Lankester (March 22, 

 1871):- 



" I think you will be glad to hear, as a proof of the in- 

 creasing liberality of England, that my book has sold wonder- 

 fully .... and as yet no abuse (though some, no doubt, will 

 come, strong enough), and only contempt even in the poor 

 old Athenaeum y 



As to reviews that struck him he wrote to Mr. Wallace 

 (March 24, 1871) : — 



'' There is a very striking second article on my book in 

 the Pall Mall. The articles in the S^edator'^ have also in- 

 terested me much." 



On March 20 he wrote to Mr. Murray : — 



" Many thanks for the Nonconformist [March 8, 1871]. I 

 like to see all that is written, and it is of some real use. If 

 you hear of reviewers in out-of-the-way papers, especially the 

 religious, as Record^ Guardia?t, Tablet, kindly inform me. It 

 is wonderful that there has been no abuse \ as yet, but I 



* Spectator, March 11 and 18, 1871. With regard to the evolution of 

 conscience the reviewer thinks that my father comes much nearer to the 

 " kernel of the psychological problem " than many of his predecessors. 

 The second article contains a good discussion of the bearing of the book 

 on the question of design, and concludes by finding in it a vindication of 

 Theism more wonderful than that in Paley's ' Natural Theology.' 



f " I feel a full conviction that my chapter on man will excite attention 



