474 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1858 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Down, Friday [June 25, 1858], 



MY DEAR LYELL, I am very sorry to trouble you, busy 

 as you are, in so merely a personal an affair ; but if you will 

 give me your deliberate opinion, you will do me as great a 

 service as ever man did, for I have entire confidence in your 

 judgment and honour 



There is nothing in Wallace's sketch which is not written 

 out much fuller in my sketch, copied out in 1844, an d read 

 by Hooker some dozen years ago. About a year ago I sent 

 a short sketch, of which I have a copy, of my views (owing 

 to correspondence on several points) to Asa Gray, so that 

 I could most truly say and prove that I take nothing from 

 Wallace. I should be extremely glad now to publish a sketch 

 of my general views in about a dozen pages or so ; but I can- 

 not persuade myself that I can do so honourably. Wallace 

 says nothing about publication, and I enclose his letter. But 

 as I had not intended to publish any sketch, can I do so hon- 

 ourably, because Wallace has sent me an outline of his doc- 

 trine ? I would far rather burn my whole book, than that he 

 or any other man should think that I had behaved in a paltry 

 spirit. Do you not think his having sent me this sketch ties 

 my hands ? ... If I could honourably publish, I would state 

 that I was induced now to publish a sketch (and I should be 

 very glad to be permitted to say, to follow your advice long 

 ago given) from Wallace having sent me an outline of my 

 general conclusions. We differ only, [in] that I was led to 

 my views from what artificial selection has done for domestic 

 animals. I would send Wallace a copy of my letter to Asa 

 Gray, to show him that I had not stolen his doctrine. But I 

 cannot tell whether to publish now would not be base and 

 paltry. This was my first impression, and I should have 

 certainly acted on it had it not been for your letter. 



This is a trumpery affair to trouble you with, but you can- 

 not tell how much obliged I should be for your advice. 



By the way, would you object to send this and your an- 



