I859-] GRAY HENSLOW. j^ 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



Down, November nth [1859]. 



MY DEAR GRAY, I have directed a copy of my book (as 

 yet only an abstract) on the ' Origin of Species ' to be sent 

 you. I know how you are pressed for time ; but if you can 

 read it, I shall be infinitely gratified .... If ever you do 

 read it, and can screw out time to send me (as I value your 

 opinion so highly), however short a note, telling me what you 

 think its weakest and best parts, I should be extremely grate- 

 ful. As you are not a geologist, you will excuse my conceit 

 in telling you that Lyell highly approves of the two Geologi- 

 cal chapters, and thinks that on the Imperfection of the Geo- 

 logical Record not exaggerated. He is nearly a convert to 

 my views. . . . 



Let me add I fully admit that there are very many diffi- 

 culties not satisfactorily explained by my theory of descent 

 with modification, but I cannot possibly believe that a false 

 theory would explain so many classes of facts as I think it 

 certainly does explain. On these grounds I drop my anchor, 

 and believe that the difficulties will slowly disappear. . . . 



C. Darwin to J. S. Henslow. 



Down, November nth, 1859. 



MY DEAR HENSLOW, I have told Murray to send a copy 

 of my book on Species to you, my dear old master in Natural 

 History ; I fear, however, that you will not approve of your 

 pupil in this case. The book in its present state does not 

 show the amount of labour which I have bestowed on the 

 subject. 



If you have time to read it carefully, and would take the 

 trouble to point out what parts seem weakest to you and 

 what best, it would be a most material aid to me in writing 

 my bigger book, which I hope to commence in a few months. 

 You know also how highly I value your judgment. But I 

 am not so unreasonable as to wish or expect you to write 



