The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



it is my hobby just now, but as the lion and the tiger are, 

 I think, the only two non-arboreal cats, I think the tiger 

 stripe agreeing so well with its usual habitat is at least a 

 probable case. 



I am rewriting my article on Birds^ Nests for the new 

 Natural History Review, 



I cannot tell you about the first appearance of tcarSj, 

 but it is very early — the first week or two, I think. I 

 can see the Victoria Institute Magazine at the London 

 Library. 



I shall read your book, every word. I hear from Sir 

 C. Lyell that you come out with a grand new theory at 

 the end, which even the cautious ( ! ) Huxley is afraid of ! 

 Sir C. said he could think of nothing. else since he read it. 

 I long to see it. 



My address is Hurstpierpoint during the winter, and, 

 when in town, 76 >^ Westbourne Grove. 



I suppose you will now be going on with your book on 

 Sexual Selection and Man, by way of relaxation! It is a 

 glorious subject, but will require delicate handling. — Yours 

 very faithfully, Alfred R. Wallace. 



10 Duchess Street, W. February 7, 1868. 



Dear Darwin, — I have to thank you for signing the 

 Memorial as to the East London Museum, and also for 

 your kindness in sending me a copy of your great book, 

 which I have only just received. I shall take it down in 

 the country with me next week, and enjoy every line at 

 my leisure. 



Allow me also to congratulate you on the splendid posi- 

 tion obtained by your second son at Cambridge. 



You will perhaps be glad to hear that I have been for 

 some time hammering away at my Travels, but I fear I 

 shall make a mess of it. I shall leave most of the Natural 

 N 193 



