The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



Forbes' s great continental extensions ; but it is too late, for 

 I will alter nothing. I am worn out, and must have rest. 



Owen, I do not doubt, will bitterly oppose us; but I 

 regard that very little, as he is a poor reasoner and deeply 

 considers the good opinion of the world, especially the aristo- 

 cratic world. 



Hooker is publishing a grand Introduction to the Flora 

 of Australia, and goes the whole length. I have seen proofs 

 of about half.— With every good wish, believe me yours very 

 sincerely, C. Darwin. 



Excuse this brief note, but I am far from well. 



Letter VI 

 C. Darwin to A. K. Wallace 



IlUey. November 13, 1859. 



My dear Sir, — I have told Murray to send you by post 

 (if possible) a copy of my book, and I hope that you will 

 receive it at nearly the same time with this note. (N.B. — 

 I have got a bad finger, which makes me write extra badly.) 

 If you are so inclined, I should very much like to hear your 

 general impression of the book, as you have thought so pro- 

 foundly on the subject and in so nearly the same channel with 

 myself. I hope there will be some little new to you, but I 

 fear not much. Eemember, it is only an abstract, and very 

 much condensed. God knows what the public will think. 

 No one has read it, except Lyell, with whom I have had 

 much correspondence. Hooker thinks him a complete con- 

 vert, but he does not seem so in his letters to me. But he 

 is evidently deeply interested in the subject. I do not think 

 your share in the theory will be overlooked by the real 

 judges, as Hooker, Lyell, Asa Gray, etc. 



I have heard from Mr. Sclater that your paper on the 



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