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



I have never half thanked you for all the extraordinary 

 trouble and kindness you showed me about Wallace's affair. 

 Hooker told me what was done at the Linnean Society, and I 

 am far more than satisfied, and I do not think that Wallace 

 can think my conduct unfair in allowing you and Hooker to 

 do whatever you thought fair. I certainly was a little annoyed 

 to lose all priority, but had resigned myself to my fate. I am 

 going to prepare a longer abstract ; but it is really impossible 

 to do justice to the subject, except by giving the facts on 

 which each conclusion is grounded, and that will, of course, 

 be absolutely impossible. Your name and Hooker's name 

 appearing as in any way the least interested in my work 

 will, I am certain, have the most important bearing in lead- 

 ing people to consider the subject without prejudice. I look 

 at this as so very important, that I am almost glad of Wal- 

 lace's paper for having led to this. 



My dear Lyell, yours most gratefully, 



CH. DARWIN. 



[The following letter refers to the proof-sheets of the 

 Linnean paper. The ' introduction ' means the prefatory let- 

 ter signed by Sir C. Lyell and Sir J. D. Hooker.] 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



King's Head Hotel, Sandown, Isle of Wight, 



July 2ist [1858]. 



MY DEAR HOOKER, I received only yesterday the proof- 

 sheets, which I now return. I think your introduction can- 

 not be improved. 



I am disgusted with my bad writing. I could not improve 

 it, without rewriting all, which would not be fair or worth 

 while, as I have begun on a better abstract for the Linnean 

 Society. My excuse is that it never was intended for publica- 

 tion. I have made only a few corrections in the style ; but I 

 cannot make it decent, but I hope moderately intelligible. I 

 suppose some one will correct the revise. (Shall I ?) 



