i8 5 4.] 'HIMALAYAN JOURNAL.' 359 



republican from the influx of Americans, and that all the 

 great and novel schemes for working the gold are planned 

 and executed by these men. What a go-a-head nation it is ! 

 Give my kindest remembrances to Lady Lyell, and to Mrs. 

 Bunbury, 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 J. D. Hooker. 



Down, March ist [1854]. 



MY DEAR HOOKER, I finished yesterday evening the 

 first volume, and I very sincerely congratulate you on hav- 

 ing produced a 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 

 addition make a map (which, by-the-way, 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 be- 

 stowed on these beautiful volumes. 



Your letter, received this morning, has interested me ex- 



* ' Himalayan Journal.' 



