1856.] THE UNFINISHED BOOK. 427 



array of facts. If I were to do anything, it could only refer 

 to the main agency of change — selection — and perhaps point 

 out a very few of the leading features, which countenance 

 such a view, and some few of the main difficulties. But I do 

 not know what to think ; I rather hate the idea of writing 

 for priority, yet I certainly should be vexed if any one were 

 to publish my doctrines before me. Anyhow, I thank you 

 heartily for your sympathy. I shall be in London next week, 

 and I will call on you on Thursday morning for one hour pre- 

 cisely, so as not to lose much of your time and my own ; but 

 will you let me this time come as early as 9 o'clock, for I 

 have much which I must do in the morning m my strongest 

 time ? Farewell, my dear old patron. 



Yours, 



C. Darwin. 



By the way, if/iree plants have come up out of the earth, 

 perfectly enclosed in the roots of the trees. And twenty-nine 

 plants in the table-spoonful of mud, out of the little pond ; 

 Hooker was surprised at this, and struck with it, when I 

 showed him how much mud I had scraped off one duck's 

 feet. 



If I did publish a short sketch, where on earth should I 

 publish it ? 



If I do no^ hear, I shall understand that I may come from 

 9 to 10 on Thursday. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



May 9th, [1856]. 



... I very much want advice and truthful consolation if 

 you can give it. I had a good talk with Lyell about my 

 species work, and he urges me strongly to publish something. 

 I am fixed against any periodical or Journal, as I positively 

 will not expose myself to an Editor or a Council, allowing a 

 publication for which they might be abused. If I publish 

 anything it must be a very thin and little volume, giving a 

 sketch of my views and difficulties ; but it is really dreadfully 



