88 'VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.' [1868. 



My work on Variation, &c, under domestication, will appear 

 in a French translation in a few months' time, and I will do 

 myself the pleasure and honour of directing the publisher to 

 send a copy to you to the same address as this letter. 

 With sincere respect, I remain, dear sir, 

 Yours very faithfully, 



Charles Darwin. 



[The next letter is of especial interest, as showing how 

 high a value my father placed on the support of the younger 

 German naturalists :] 



C. Darwin to W. Preyer* 



March 31, 1868. 



.... I am delighted to hear that you uphold the doctrine 

 of the Modification of Species, and defend my views. The 

 support which I receive from Germany is my chief ground 

 for hoping that our views will ultimately prevail. To the 

 present day I am continually abused or treated with contempt 

 by writers of my own country ; but the younger naturalists 

 are almost all on my side, and sooner or later the public 

 must follow those who make the subject their special study. 

 The abuse and contempt of ignorant writers hurts me very 

 little. 



• • • 



Now Professor of Physiology at Jena. 



