Ch. XIV.] 1861—1871. 247 



work of translation. The book was now spreading on the 

 Continent, a Dutch edition had appeared, and, as we have seen, 

 a German translation had been published in 1860. In a letter 

 to Mr. Murray (September 10, 1861), he wrote, " My book 

 seems exciting much attention in Germany, judging from the 

 number of discussions sent me." The silence had been broken, 

 and in a few years the voice of German science was to become 

 one of the strongest of the advocates of Evolution. 



A letter, June 23, 1861, gave a pleasant echo from the Con- 

 tinent of the growth of his views : — 



Hugh Falconer * to C. Darwin. 31 Sackville St., W., 

 June 23, 1861. 



My dear Darwin, — I have been to Adelsberg cave and 

 brought back with me a live Proteus anguinus, designed for you 

 from the moment I got it ; i.e. if you have got an aquarium and 

 would care to have it. I only returned last night from the 

 Continent, and hearing from your brother that you are about to 

 go to Torquay, I lose no time in making you the offer. The 

 poor dear animal is still alive — although it has had no appre- 

 ciable means of sustenance for a month — and I am most 

 anxious to get rid of the responsibility of starving it longer. 

 In your hands it will thrive and have a fair chance of being 

 developed without delay into some type of the Columbid® — 

 say a Pouter or a Tumbler. 



My dear Darwin, I have been rambling through the north of 

 Italy, and Germany lately. Everywhere have I heard your 

 views and your admirable essay canvassed — the views of course 

 often dissented from, according to the special bias of the 

 speaker — but the work, its honesty of purpose, grandeur of 

 conception, felicity of illustration, and courageous exposition, 

 always referred to in terms of the highest admiration. And 

 among your warmest friends no one rejoiced more heartily in 

 the just appreciation of Charles Darwin than did, 



Yours very truly. 



My father replied : — 



Down [June 24, 1861]. 

 My dear Falconer, — I have just received your note, and by 

 good luck a day earlier than properly, and I lose not a moment 



* Hugh Falconer, born 1809, died 1865. Chiefly known as a palaeon- 

 tologist, although employed as a botanist during his whole career in 

 ludia. where he was a medical officer in the H.E.LC. Service. 



