i86i.] MR. BATES. I71 



solely be driven into naturalists by treating special subjects 

 as you have done. Under a special point of view, I think you 

 have solved one of the most perplexing problems which 

 could be given to solve. I am glad to hear from Hooker 

 that the Linnean Society will give plates if you can get 

 drawings. . . . 



Do not complain of want of aJvice during your travels ; I 

 dare say part of your great originality of views may be due to 

 the necessity of self-exertion of thought. I can understand 

 that your reception at the British Museum would damp you ; 

 they are a very good set of men, but not the sort to appre- 

 ciate your work. In fact I have long thought that too much 

 systematic work [and] description somehow blunts the facul- 

 ties. The general public appreciates a good dose of reason- 

 ing, or generalisation, with new and curious remarks on 

 habits, final causes, &c. &c., far more than do the regular 

 naturalists. 



I am extremely glad to hear that you have begun your 

 travels ... I am very busy, but I shall be truly glad to 

 render any aid which I can by reading your first chapter or 

 two. I do not think I shall be able to correct style, for this 

 reason, that after repeated trials I find I cannot correct my 

 own style till I see the MS. in type. Some are born with a 

 power of good writing, like Wallace ; others like myself and 

 Lyell have to labour very hard and slowly at every sentence. 

 I find it a very good plan, when I cannot get a difficult 

 discussion to please me, to fancy that some one comes into 

 the room and asks me what I am doing; and then try at 

 once and explain to the imaginary person what it is all about. 

 I have done this for one paragraph to myself several times, 

 and sometimes to Mrs. Darwin, till I see how the subject 

 ought to go. It is, I think, good to read one's MS. aloud. 

 But style to me is a great difficulty ; yet some good judges 

 think I have succeeded, and I say this to encourage you. 



What / think I can do will be to tell you whether parts 

 had better be shortened. It is good, I think, to dash '' in 

 medias res," and work in later any descriptions of country or 



