186 WEITING OF THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. [Ch. XI. 



as ever man did, for I have entire confidence in your judgment 

 and honour. . . . 



There is nothing in Wallace's sketch which is not written 

 out much fuller in my sketch, copied out in 1844, and read by 

 Hooker some dozen years ago. About a year ago I sent a 

 short sketch, of which I have a copy, of my views (owing to 

 correspondence on several points) to Asa Gray, so that I could 

 most truly say and prove that I take nothing from Wallace. 

 I should be extremely glad now to publish a sketch of my 

 general views in about a dozen pages or so ; but I cannot 

 persuade myself that I can do so honourably. Wallace says 

 nothing about publication, and I enclose his letter. But as I 

 had not intended to publish any sketch, can I do so honourably, 

 because Wallace has sent me an outline of his doctrine ? I 

 would far rather burn my whole book, than that he or any 

 other man should think that I had behaved in a paltry spirit. 

 Do you not think his having sent me this sketch ties my 

 hands? .... If I could honourably publish, I would state 

 that I was induced now to publish a sketch (and I should be 

 very glad to be permitted to say, to follow your advice long 

 ago given) from Wallace having sent me an outline of my 

 general conclusions. We differ only, [in] that I was led to my 

 views from what artificial selection has done for domestic 

 animals. I would send Wallace a copy of my letter to Asa 

 Gray, to show him that I had not stolen his doctrine. But I 

 cannot tell whether to publish now would not be base and 

 paltry. This was my first impression, and I should have 

 certainly acted on it had it not been for your letter. 



This is a trumpery affair to trouble you with, but you cannot 

 tell how much obliged I should be for your advice. 



By the way, would you object to send this and your answer 

 to Hooker to be forwarded to me ? for then I shall have the 

 opinion of my two best and kindest friends. This letter is 

 miserably written, and I write it now, that I may for a time 

 banish the whole subject ; and I am worn out with musing. . . . 



My good dear friend, forgive me. This is a trumpery letter, 

 influenced by trumpery feelings. 



Yours most truly. 



I will never trouble you or Hooker on the subject again. 



C. D. to C. Lyell. Down, 26th [June 1858]. 



My dear Lyell — Forgive me for adding a P.S. to make tho 

 case as strong as possible against myself. 



Wallace might say, " You did not intend publishing an 



