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 n [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, J but I fear you 



* This was a favourite reform of through dry and pictureless books 



my father's. He wrote to the for the benefit of their elders." He 



Athenceum on the subject, Feb. 5, tried to introduce the reform in the 



1867, pointing out that a book case of his own books, but found 



cut, even carefully, with a paper the conservatism of booksellers too 



knife collects dust on its edges far strong for him. The presentation 



more than a machine-cut book. copies, however, of all his later 



He goes on to quote the case of books were sent out with the edges 



a lady of his acquaintance who cut. 



was in the habit of cutting books f ' Prehistoric Times,' 1865. 

 with her thumb, and finally appeals \ l Prehistoric Times,' p. 487,. 



to the AthencEum to earn the grati- where the words, " the discoveries 



tude of children "who have to cut of a Newton or a Darwin," occur. 



