44 SPREAD OF EVOLUTION. [1866. 



The case stands thus : in my next book I shall publish 

 long chapters on bud- and seminal-variation, on inheritance, 

 reversion, effects of use and disuse, &c. I have also for many 

 years speculated on the different forms of reproduction. 

 Hence it has come to be a passion with me to try to connect 

 all such facts by some sort of hypothesis. The MS. which I 

 wish to send you gives such a hypothesis ; it is a very rash 

 and crude hypothesis, yet it has been a considerable relief to 

 my mind, and I can hang on it a good many groups of facts. 

 I well know that a mere hypothesis, and this is nothing more, 

 is of little value ; but it is very useful to me as serving as a 

 kind of summary for certain chapters. Now I earnestly wish 

 for your verdict given briefly as, " Burn it " or, which is the 

 most favourable verdict I can hope for, " It does rudely 

 connect together certain facts, and I do not think it will 

 immediately pass out of my mind." If you can say this 

 much, and you do not think it absolutely ridiculous, I shall 

 publish it in my concluding chapter. Now will you grant 

 me this favour ? You must refuse if you are too much over- 

 worked. 



I must say for myself that I am a hero to expose my 

 hypothesis to the fiery ordeal of your criticism. 



July 12, [1865 ?] 



MY DEAR HUXLEY, I thank you most sincerely for having 

 so carefully considered my MS. It has been a real act of 

 kindness. It would have annoyed me extremely to have 

 re-published Buffon's views, which I did not know of, but I 

 will get the book ; and if I have strength I will also read 

 Bonnet. I do not doubt your judgment is perfectly just, 

 and I will try to persuade myself not to publish. The whole 

 affair is much too speculative ; yet I think some such view 

 will have to be adopted, when I call to mind such facts as 

 the inherited effects of use and disuse, &c. But I will try to 

 be cautious. . 



