1859.] AMERICAN EDITION. 39 



sorry to hear that you are still so very busy, and have so much 

 work. And now for the main purport of my note, which is 

 to ask and beg you and Mrs. Hooker (whom it is really an 

 age since I have seen), and all your children, if you like, to 

 come and spend a week here. It would be a great pleasure 

 to me and to my wife. ... As far as we can see, we shall be 

 at home all the winter ; and all times probably would be 

 equally convenient ; but if you can, do not put it off very 

 late, as it may slip through. Think of this and persuade Mrs. 

 Hooker, and be a good man and come. 



Farewell, my kind and dear friend, 



Yours affectionately, 



C. DARWIN. 



P. S. I shall be very curious to hear what you think of my 

 discussion on Classification in Chap. XIII. ; I believe Huxley 

 demurs to the whole, and says he has nailed his colours to 

 the mast, and I would sooner die than give up ; so that we 

 are in as fine a frame of mind to discuss the point as any two 

 religionists. 



Embryology is my pet bit in my book, and, confound my 

 friends, not one has noticed this to me. 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



Down, December 2ist [1859]. 



MY DEAR GRAY, I have just received your most kind, 

 long, and valuable letter. I will write again in a few days, 

 for I am at present unwell and much pressed with business : 

 to-day's note is merely personal. I should, for several rea- 

 sons, be very glad of an American Edition. I have made up 

 my mind to be well abused ; but I think it of importance 

 that my notions should be read by intelligent men, accus- 

 tomed to scientific argument, though not naturalists. It may 

 seem absurd, but I think such men will drag after them those 

 naturalists who have too firmly fixed in their heads that a 

 species is an entity. The first edition of 1250 copies was sold 



