526 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1864, 



tical and social questions, on which I would fain know 

 what you think. But I cannot write longer now. 



Only as to our war, I beg you to believe that we 

 (the earnest thoughtful people and most around us, 

 according to their measure) have acted and are act- 

 ing from the highest sense of duty, duty to our be- 

 loved country and to humanity ; and we keep the full 

 conviction that great and permanent good is to result. 

 Much of the good we see already, and more comes 

 near to realization every day. So we work and trust, 

 and suffer cheerfully. We only wish our views and 

 motives were better appreciated in general in the 

 country and by the people whose good opinion we 

 most value. But even the lack of that appreciation, 

 which is far from universal, is likely to do us good. 

 I am always sure of your thoughtful good wishes for 

 us. But I must break off. 



Ever yours most sincerely, ASA GRAY. 



TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 



CAMBRIDGE, May 30, 1864. 



MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, I have let your very 

 kind letter of 28th January lie on my desk a long time, 

 always expecting to write soon, but, having been ex- 

 tremely busy with various administrative matters and 

 college work since it reached me, the convenient 

 moment for writing to you has not arrived till now. 

 I inclose a note to my young friend and late col- 

 league, Professor Eliot, which I beg you to send to 

 the poste restante on arrival. I learn from his friends 

 here that he may be expected to be in Geneva about 

 the time this reaches you. 



In my note I ask him to call upon you, as a friend 

 of mine. He will of course be unwilling to make any 



