rjig THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES. [1859 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Sept. ist [1859]. 



... I am not surprised at your rinding your Introduction 

 very difficult. But do not grudge the labour, and do not say 

 you "have burnt your fingers," and are "deep in the mud"; 

 for I feel sure that the result will be well worth the labour. 

 Unless I am a fool, I must be a judge to some extent of the 

 value of such general essays, and I am fully convinced that 

 yours are the most valuable ever published. 



I have corrected all but the last two chapters of my book, 

 and hope to have done revises and all in about three weeks 

 and then I (or we all) shall start for some months' hydropa- 

 thy; my health has been very bad, and I am becoming as 

 weak as a child, and incapable of doing anything whatever, 

 except my three hours daily work at proof-sheets. God knows 

 whether I shall ever be good at anything again, perhaps a 

 long rest and hydropathy may do something. 



I have not had A. Gray's Essay, and should not feel up to 

 criticise it, even if I had the impertinence and courage. You 

 will believe me that I speak strictly the truth when I say 

 that your Australian Essay is extremely interesting to me> 

 rather too much so. I enjoy reading it over, and if you think 

 my criticisms are worth anything to you, I beg you to send 

 the sheets (if you can give me time for good days) ; but 

 unless I can render you any little, however little assistance, 

 I would rather read the essay when published. Pray under- 

 stand that I should be truly vexed not to read them, if you 

 wish it for your own sake. 



I had a terribly long fit of sickness yesterday, which makes 

 the world rather extra gloomy to-day, and I have an insanely 

 strong wish to finish my accursed book, such corrections every 

 page has required as I never saw before. It is so weariful, 

 killing the whole afternoon, after 12 o'clock doing nothing 

 whatever. But I will grumble no more. So farewell, we shall 

 meet in the winter I trust. 



Farewell, my dear Hooker, your affectionate friend, 



C. DARWIN, 



