l86/.] PROFESSOR HAECKEL. 69 



subject so admirably and clearly arranged, as well as fortified 

 by so many new facts and arguments, would not advance our 

 common object in the highest degree. All that I think is 

 that you will excite anger, and that anger so completely 

 blinds every one, that your arguments would have no chance 

 of influencing those who are already opposed to our views. 

 Moreover, I do not at all like that you, towards whom I feel 

 so much friendship, should unnecessarily make enemies, and 

 there is pain and vexation enough in the world without more 

 being caused. But I repeat that I can feel no doubt that 

 your work will greatly advance our subject, and I heartily 

 wish it could be translated into English, for my own sake and 

 that of others. With respect to what you say about my 

 advancing too strongly objections against my own views, some 

 of my English friends think that I have erred on this side ; 

 but truth compelled me to write what I did, and I am inclined 

 to think it was good policy. The belief in the descent theory 

 is slowly spreading in England,* even amongst those who can 

 give no reason for their belief. No body of men were at first 

 so much opposed to my views as the members of the London 

 Entomological Society, but now I am assured that, with the 

 exception of two or three old men, all the members concur 

 with me to a certain extent. It has been a great disappoint- 

 ment to me that I have never received your long letter written 

 to me from the Canary Islands. I am rejoiced to hear that 

 your tour, which seems to have been a most interesting one, 

 has done your health much good. I am working away at my 

 new book, but make very slow progress, and the work tries my 

 health, which is much the same as when you were here. 



* In October 1867 he wrote to Advocate. The discussion which 

 Mr. Wallace : " Mr. Warrington followed during three consecutive 

 has lately read an excellent and meetings is very rich from the non- 

 spirited abstract of the * Origin ' sense talked. If you would care 

 before the Victoria Institute, and as to see the number I could send it 

 this is a most orthodox body, he you." 

 has gained the name of the Devil's 



