282 WORK ON 'MAN.' (1868. 



of other favourable newspapers, and have ordered a bundle. 

 There is a " chorus of praise." The Times reported miserably, 

 i.e. as far as errata was concerned ; but I was very glad at 

 the leader, for I thought the way you brought in the mega- 

 lithic monuments most happy.* I particularly admired Tyn- 

 dall's little speech.f . . . The Spectator pitches a little into 

 you about Theology, in accordance with its usual spirit. . . . 

 Your great success has rejoiced my heart. I have just 

 carefully read the whole address in the Athenaum ; and 

 though, as you know, I liked it very much when you read it 

 to me, yet, as I was trying all the time to find fault, I missed 

 to a certain extent the effect as a whole ; and this now 

 appears to me most striking and excellent. How you must 

 rejoice at all your bothering labour and anxiety having had 

 so grand an end. I must say a word about myself ; never 

 has such a eulogium been passed on me, and it makes me 

 very proud. I cannot get over my amazement at what you 

 say about my botanical work. By Jove, as far as my memory 

 goes, you have strengthened instead of weakened some of the 

 expressions. What is far more important than anything per- 

 sonal, is the conviction which I feel that you will have im- 

 mensely advanced the belief in the evolution of species. 

 This will follow from the publicity of the occasion, your posi- 

 tion, so responsible, as President, and your own high reputa- 

 tion. It will make a great step in public opinion. I feel sure, 

 and I had not thought of this before. The Athenaum takes 

 your snubbing \ with the utmost mildness. I certainly do 

 rejoice over the snubbing, and hope [the reviewer] will feel 

 it a little. Whenever you have spare time to write again, 

 tell me whether any astronomers took your remarks in ill 



* The British Association was desirous of interesting the Government 

 in certain modern cromlech builders, the Khasia race of East Bengal, in 

 order that their megalithic monuments might be efficiently described. 



f Professor Tyndall was President of Section A. 



\ Sir Joseph Hooker made some reference to the review of ' Animals 

 and Plants ' in the Athenceum of Feb. 15, 1868. 



In discussing the astronomer's objection to Evolution, namely that 



