48 PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859 



clearness ; and what is even still rarer, his writing is seasoned 

 with most pleasant wit. We all laughed heartily over some 

 of the sentences. I was charmed with those unreasonable 

 mortals, who know anything, all thinking fit to range them- 

 selves on one side.* Who can it be ? Certainly I should 

 have said that there was only one man in England who could 

 have written this essay, and that you were the man. But I 

 suppose I am wrong, and that there is some hidden genius of 

 great calibre. For how could you influence Jupiter Olympius 

 and make him give three and a half columns to pure science ? 

 The old fogies will think the world will come to an end. 

 Well, whoever the man is, he has done great service to the 

 cause, far more than by a dozen reviews in common peri- 

 odicals. The grand way he soars above common religious 

 prejudices, and the admission of such views into the Times, 

 I look at as of the highest importance, quite independently 

 of the mere question of species. If you should happen to 

 be acquainted with the author, for Heaven- sake tell me who 

 he is? 



My dear Huxley, yours most sincerely, 



C. DARWIN. 



[It is impossible to give in a short space an adequate idea 

 of Mr. Huxley's article in the Times of December 26. It is 

 admirably planned, so as to claim for the ' Origin ' a respect- 

 ful hearing, and it abstains from anything like dogmatism in 

 asserting the truth of the doctrinccs therein upheld. A few 

 passages may be quoted : " That this most ingenious 



* The reviewer proposes to pass by the orthodox view, according to 

 which the phenomena of the organic world are " the immediate product 

 of a creative fiat, and consequently are out of the domain of science alto- 

 gether." And he does so " with less hesitation, as it so happens that 

 those persons who are practically conversant with the facts of the case 

 (plainly a considerable advantage) have always thought fit to range them- 

 selves " in the category of those holding " views which profess to rest on a 

 scientific basis only, and therefore admit of being argued to their conse- 

 quences." 



