36 



SPREAD OF EVOLUTION. 



[1865. 



Originate a second real blessing and have the edges of the 

 sheets cut like a bound book* 



C. Darwin to John Lubbock. 



Down, June 11 [1865]. 



My dear Lubbock, — The latter half of your book f has 

 been read aloud to me, and the style is so clear and easy 

 (we both think it perfection) that I am now beginning at the 

 beginning. I cannot resist telling you how excellently well, 

 in my opinion, you have done the very interesting chapter on 

 savage life. Though you have necessarily only compiled the 

 materials the general result is most original. But I ought to 

 keep the term original for your last chapter, which has struck 

 me as an admirable and profound discussion. It has quite 

 delighted me, for now the public will see what kind of man 

 you are, which I am proud to think I discovered a dozen 

 years ago. 



I do sincerely wish you all success in your election and in 

 politics ; but after reading this last chapter, you must let me 

 say : oh, dear ! oh, dear ! oh dear ! 



Yours affectionately, 



Ch. Darwin. 



P.S. — You pay me a superb compliment^ but I fear you 



* This was a favourite reform of 

 my father's. He wrote to the 

 AthencEum on the subject, Feb. 5, 

 1867, pointing out that a book 

 cut, even carefully, with a paper 

 knife collects dust on its edges far 

 more than a machine-cut book. 

 He goes on to quote the case of 

 a lady of his acquaintance who 

 was in the habit of cutting books 

 with her thumb, and finally appeals 

 to the AthencEum to earn the grati- 

 tude of children " who have to cut 



through dry and pictureless books 

 for the benefit of their elders." He 

 tried to introduce the reform in the 

 case of his own books, but found 

 the conservatism of booksellers too 

 strong for him. The presentation 

 copies, however, of all his later 

 books were sent out with the edges 

 cut. 



t ' Prehistoric Times,' 1865. 



X l Prehistoric Times,' p. 487, 

 where the words, " the discoveries 

 of a Newton or a Darwin," occur. 



