LIFE AT DOWN. yETAT. 33-45. [1854. 



and to Bunbury. I most heartily wish that the Canaries may 

 be ten times as interesting as Madeira, and that everything 

 may go on most prosperously with your whole party. 

 My dear Lyell, 



Yours most truly and affectionately, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to y. D. Hooker. 



Down, March 1st [1854]. 



MY DEAR HOOKER, I finished yesterday evening the first 

 volume, and I very sincerely congratulate you on having 

 produced ^first-class book * a book which certainly will last. 

 I cannot doubt that it will take its place as a standard, not so 

 much because it contains real solid matter, but that it gives 

 a picture of the whole country. One can feel that one 

 has seen it (and desperately uncomfortable I felt in going 

 over some of the bridges and steep slopes), and one realises 

 all the great Physical features. You have in truth reason to 

 be proud ; consider how few travellers there have been with 

 a profound knowledge of one subject, and who could in 

 additron make a map (which, by-the-\vay, is one of the most 

 distinct ones I ever looked at, wherefore blessings alight on 

 your head), and study geology and meteorology ! I thought 

 I knew you very well, but I had not the least idea that 

 your Travels were your hobby ; but I am heartily glad of it, 

 for I feel sure that the time will never come when you and 

 Mrs. Hooker will not be proud to look back at the labour 

 bestowed on these beautiful volumes. 



Your letter, received this morning, has interested me 

 extremely, and I thank you sincerely for telling me your old 

 thoughts and aspirations. All that you say makes me 

 even more deeply gratified by the Dedication ; but you, 

 bad man, do you remember asking me how I thought Lyell 

 would like the work to be dedicated to him ? I remember 

 * ' Himalayan Journal.' 





